Premier Golda Meir charged today that the exorbitant visa fees demanded by Soviet authorities from educated Jews seeking to emigrate represent only “the first stage of a horrible trap the Russians are preparing for Jews there.” According to Mrs. Meir. “The ransom money plan is not only aimed at Jewish academicians but is part of a plan aimed at all Russian Jews. If the ransom plan succeeds no one can say or even imagine what horrible things the Russians plan for the future,” she said.
The Premier spoke at a special meeting of the Histadrut Council on Russian Jews and Jews in Arab lands. The Council unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the International Labor Organization to safeguard the rights of Jewish scientists and workers in Russia. The resolution was based on a request signed by 31 Russian Jews who appealed to the Histadrut for help. They said they lost their jobs after asking for visas to emigrate to Israel. The visas were not granted and they remain unemployed.
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