Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Letter of the 18 Georgian Jews

Israel's decisive victory in the Six-Day War resonated globally. It was at this pivotal moment that Soviet Jews, who seemed to have lost all hope, rose up to openly demand their right to freely repatriate to Israel.

The most widespread protests were organized by my compatriots, the Georgian Jews. They applied for exit visas, navigated bureaucratic barriers, and sent hundreds of letters and telegrams, yet all their efforts proved futile.

In August 1969, exactly 50 years ago, Kutaisi native Shabtai Elashvili gathered his closest associates and announced his decision to appeal directly to the UN Commission on Human Rights, the Prime Minister of Israel, and the Israeli Ambassador to the UN, demanding intervention in the ongoing crisis.

Eighteen Georgian Jews courageously signed a letter that could have easily sealed their fate. The appeal stated, in part:

...The era of fear is over; the time for action has arrived.

...We request that the UN Commission on Human Rights employ all possible measures to secure permission from the USSR government for our departure in the shortest possible time. It is incomprehensible that in the late twentieth century, individuals can be barred from living where they choose. It is disconcerting how the celebrated principles regarding a nation's right to self-determination—and, consequently, the rights of the individuals comprising those nations—can be disregarded.

Shabtai Elashvili traveled to Moscow and secured an audience with the Dutch Ambassador, who was representing Israeli interests in the USSR at the time. Thus, the first historical document detailing the struggle of Soviet Jews breached the Iron Curtain, reached its intended recipients, and had the impact of a bombshell.

The UN Commission on Human Rights circulated the letter of the 18 Georgian Jews as an official document. Consequently, the brief was translated into multiple languages and featured in major global newspapers. It was read aloud in Jewish households and during public demonstrations supporting the repatriation rights of Soviet Jewry.

Moved by this bold appeal, the Knesset and the Israeli government, led by Golda Meir, decided to launch a public campaign for the right of Soviet Jews to make Aliyah. Prior to this, official Israeli authorities had refrained from overt action in hopes of restoring diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union.

In 1971, the eighteen Jewish families achieved their goal and set foot on the Holy Land. Shabtai Elashvili was transported directly from the aircraft to a hospital, where he eventually passed away after the severe trials he had endured.

Let us remember and share the story of the courageous Shabtai Elashvili and his loyal companions, who stood unified behind their leader toward the noble objective of reuniting with their people.