Top Jewish activists in the Soviet Union were reported today by Jewish sources here as telling foreign newsmen that the Soviet Union’s rejection of the 1972 trade agreement with the United States does not necessarily herald a tougher Russian attitude toward would-be Jewish emigrants. Some 15 of Moscow’s most prominent activists, who held a conference in the apartment of mathematician Alexander Lerner to assess the Kremlin’s decision, expressed optimism for the future of their emigration movement.
They reportedly told newsmen during an informal press conference that the government apparently is continuing its policy of allowing some Jews to leave while refusing permission to others. Lerner, speaking for the other activists, said: “We do not think the Soviet government will carry out retaliation against the United States on the backs of the Jews.” At the same time the activists said they would continue their struggle to secure free emigration rights for those who wished to leave the USSR.
This assessment seemed to differ with views reported by Jewish sources in the Soviet Union last week immediately after the USSR repudiated the trade agreement. At that time reports in London from sources indicated that the break indicated that prospects for increased Jewish emigration were not good. However, belief was expressed that regardless of how grim the immediate picture, the doors of the Soviet Union would never again be closed to emigration. The only question, they noted, was how wide the doors, will remain open in the future.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
