The plight of the Jews in the Soviet Union continues to worsen. The reduction in the death sentences of some Jews convicted of a hijacking offense that never became airborne indicates no change of mind or heart by Soviet officials. It is specious for Soviet scientists to appeal for acquittal of Angela Davis when justice and equity are virtually non-existent in their own country. I think it would be helpful for the Russian scientists to come to America and watch the trial of Angela Davis and for representative Americans (including some of Miss Davis’s friends) to go to Moscow and watch Soviet legal proceedings.
None of this, however, should cause us to forget the suffering Jews in the Soviet Union. Their plight reminds me of the Jews’ captivity in Egypt and of God’s great deliverance of them in the Exodus. It is difficult to understand why the communists are unwilling to allow the Jews—whom they hate and persecute—to emigrate to Israel. I should think that they not only would be delighted for them to depart but also would do all they could to encourage and assist them.
I ask prayer for the son of a former assistant editor of CHRISTIANITY TODAY, Robert Cleath, Jr., who was critically injured in an automobile accident last month. His brother who was also injured has recovered. The family needs our prayers.