Natan Sharansky, an internationally renowned champion of human rights, served as a key figure in the efforts of Soviet Jews to earn the right to move to Israel. He was arrested and sentenced to 13 years in a Soviet prison, including solitary confinement and hard labor. Before the verdict was announced, Sharansky famously proclaimed in the courtroom, “To the court I have nothing to say; to my wife and the Jewish people I say, ‘Next Year in Jerusalem.’”
After serving as a political prisoner for nine years, Sharansky was released in 1986 after a vigorous advocacy campaign led by his wife, Avital, and they emigrated to Israel.
In addition to his efforts on behalf of Soviet Jewry, Sharansky became a leader in Israeli society, serving in four consecutive Israeli governments and eventually serving as chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel.
The author of several books and the recipient of several notable awards, including the Israel Prize, the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Sharansky became chair of The Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy in 2019.
On the WJW Podcast, Sharansky discussed his experience as a political prisoner in light of the current plight of the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas and the importance of advocacy on behalf of the hostages. Sharansky also shared his thoughts on people making aliyah and immigrating to Israel and talked about combating antisemitism amid the drastic rise in Jew-hatred that we’re seeing on a global scale.
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