Jewish immigrants arriving here from the Soviet Union have reported that Russian authorities are no longer demanding the exorbitant diploma tax but expressed the view that its suspension is only temporary and that the tax would probably be renewed after Soviet Communist Party Secretary Leonid Brezhnev’s visit to Washington this summer.
The immigrants, who came here on Passover eve, said that most Jews applying for exit visas get them although it may take 2-3 months until they receive a reply from the ovir (visa bureau). They reported, however, that in some cases, Soviet authorities make every possible effort to prevent the departure of Jews: they accuse them of offenses, refuse to issue the necessary permits and many are sent to jail. The immigrants also reported that young people who have completed their military service must wait for 4-5 years after their discharge to leave.
One of the new arrivals, 23-year-old Valery Wodaka, said that in 1969 he was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for Zionist activity which was labeled “activity against the State.”
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
