Ncsj Scores Soviet Brutality Against Jews During Passover

Richard Maass, chairman of the National Conference on Soviet Jewry expressed grave concern yesterday over the unprovoked attack on Jews attempting to observe the Passover eve services in Moscow’s synagogue. The NCSJ reported that according to information it received hundreds of Soviet police attempted to disperse the Jews gathered for the services.

The crowds were broken into small groups, Jews were severely beaten, their hair pulled and teeth broken, the report continued. Several men were thrown to the ground and dragged to a waiting police car. Women were savagely beaten. A number of Jews were arrested, held at the police station for several hours, and then released. The NCSJ reported that fewer Jews gathered for synagogue services on the second evening of Passover and that after services ended the police again dispersed the crowd and cordoned off the synagogue.

Maass said “the unprovoked attacks on the Jews observing the Passover service again focuses our attention on the plight of Jews in the Soviet Union. This brutal incident represents the first time in years that Jews in the capital city of Moscow have been prevented by force from observing the Passover.”

Coming at a time when President Nixon is scheduled to meet with Soviet leaders next month, Maass said, “it makes the need for the President to show his concern for Soviet Jewry even more essential. We believe this latest incident should be brought before the United Nations Human Rights Commission currently in session in New York and we urge this administration to instruct our UN Ambassador George Bush” to do so.