The continued struggle to open the gates of the Soviet Union to Jewish emigration did not abate. On the contrary, intensive efforts were undertaken, publicly and secretly to persuade the Soviet leadership that Jewish emigration was allowed under Soviet laws. In this letter to the convention of the Union of Soviet Immigrants, Mr. Peres reminded them that since the end of the 1960's, 260,000 Jews were allowed to leave the Soviet Union, and that 400,000 others were not deterred from applying for exit permits. Text:
You should emerge from this conference prepared in a new and updated way, with firm and practical decisions; we should therefore keep in mind [that]:
1. All of us together are assigned with making a supreme effort so that the issue of Soviet Jewry in general, and the distress of prisoners of Zion in particular, be placed at the top of the national order of priorities.
2. The success of the campaign for Soviet Jews depends on world public opinion, which we must mobilize in favor of our struggle.
3. Our public opinion challenge is based on the logic of the existence of the State of Israel, established in order to serve as a refuge for Jews of distress. The enlightened world. must enlist to realize this noble goal, in the name of the partnership of universal values.
4. Despite the disappointments and the oppression, we must remember that the Soviet Union has so far allowed the exit of approximately 260,000 of our brethren.
5. We must miss no opportunity for dialogue with the Soviet government, for the sake of approximately 400,000 Jews (out of about 2 million) who have requested exit visas.
6. It should be reiterated to the Kremlin that the Soviet emigre movement has adopted as its slogan "Immigration to Israel," and not altering the domestic Soviet regime.
7. The Soviet Union must fulfill the Jews request, according to its own laws and under its international commitments.
On the occasion of this convention, we ought to recall once more the brave words of Yosef Begun: as one who has fallen victim due to his nationalist views, know that I am suffering for a just cause. And to my persecutors I say: Cast an eye over the history of the Jewish people. This history, brimming with blood and tears, is full of examples attesting to the fact that persecution does not break us, and that decrees [against us] unite us, sons of one people, wherever we are."
In this brave spirit you should hold your deliberations and make your decisions.
Warmest greetings,
Shimon Peres