Premier Menachem Begin called on Vice President Walter Mondale today to exert his “maximum efforts” on behalf of leading Jewish dissidents imprisoned or facing trial in the Soviet Union. Begin made his appeal in a cable to Mondale who is due in Israel at the end of the month to participate in celebrations of Israel’s 30th anniversary.
Begin’s message referred specifically to Vladimir and Maria Speak, Ida Nodal and losif Begun as “victims of Soviet persecution because of their longing to come to Israel.” All are awaiting trial on what Begin described as “trumped up charges of hooliganism and parasitism.” He also reminded Mondale that “Anatoly Shcharansky is, as you know, in danger of being charged falsely with treason. In such circumstances, extraordinary measures are required. We urge your maximum efforts on their behalf,” Begin said.
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