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Knesset speaker visits Russia, 33 years after imprisonment by USSR

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The Knesset Speaker yesterday addressed the upper house of the Russian parliament in Moscow during an official visit to the country, 33 years after he was sent to a Soviet labour camp for ‘Zionist activities’.

Yuli Edelstein opened his speech in Hebrew yesterday. He said: “33 years ago I was imprisoned here in Moscow by the authorities of the Soviet Union for teaching the Hebrew language. I was imprisoned because I was teaching the language which spread to the world the ideas of rejecting tyranny, upholding the rule of justice, love of mankind and the hopes of freedom; the language in which the prophets of Israel foretold the day on which ‘nations shall not lift up sword against nations; nor will they learn war anymore.'”

Continuing in Hebrew, he said: “Today, I stand before you as the Speaker of Knesset Yisrael, and, in the same language which I was imprisoned for teaching, I bless you with the ancient Jewish blessing: ‘Shalom Aleiche’! Even in my finest dreams, I never believed I’d reach this moment.”

Edelstein called on countries to unite against terror, saying that it had replaced Nazism in the 21st century. He said: “We must create an atmosphere of mutual respect between the different countries. An atmosphere that will facilitate closer cooperation in the fight against terror, so that no one will have to look into the eyes of a mother who lost her only son in a terror attack. I believe this is possible. We can defeat terror, but only by boldly fighting against it, side by side.”

Edelstein will also visit sites that were significant in his life story including the site of his arrest, the courthouse where his trial took place and the prison in which he was held.

Earlier in the trip he focused on Russia’s current role in the Middle East, saying it was known that the country was “playing a significant role” in the region.

He said “it is very important that we continue the cooperation and resolve the differences of opinion between us, if they exist”.

Today Edelstein is due to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and leaders of the Moscow Jewish community.