PLO Asks Gorbachev to Halt Jewish Emigration
The PLO’s parliament in exile sent a memorandum to Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev on Tuesday, urging him to halt the emigration of Soviet Jews to the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.
“In the name of human rights, we appeal to you to take speedy measures to stop the emigration of Soviet Jews, which represents . . . Jewish raids on our land and homeland,” the Palestine National Council said in a five-page memorandum.
The PNC, considered to be the legislative arm and governing body of the Palestine Liberation Organization, was the latest in a series of Arab organizations to express concern over increasing Soviet Jewish emigration to Israel.
An estimated 40,000 to 100,000 Soviet Jews are expected to go to Israel during the next year because of a loosening of emigration requirements by Moscow and a decision by Washington to restrict the number of Soviet Jews moving to the United States.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
