British Wjc Sends Friendly Letter to Russian Ballet Group on Plight of Soviet Jews

The British section of the World Jewish Congress has sent a friendly letter to the principal members of the visiting Kirov Ballet Company of Leningrad calling their attention to the treatment of Jews in the Soviet Union. The letter, signed by Jack Barnett, general secretary, said the Congress was writing as “friends and as people who will always remember with gratitude the contribution of the Red Army to the Allied victory.” But. he went on, “at the same time we feel it is our duty to protest against the disabilities of Soviet Jews.” “It would be an act of humanity.” the letter said, “for the Soviet government to permit Jews to go to Israel if they so desire.”