Natan Sharansky
Natan Sharansky, born Anatoly Borisovich Shcharansky in 1948 in Donetsk, then part of the Soviet Union, is a former Israeli politician, human rights activist, and author. Sharansky became a refusenik in the 1970s, a Jew denied permission to emigrate by the Soviet authorities. His struggle for his own freedom and the rights of other refuseniks made him an international symbol of human rights advocacy. He spent nine years in Soviet prisons on charges of spying for the United States, which were widely regarded as fabricated.
In 1986, Sharansky was released as part of an East-West prisoner exchange and immigrated to Israel. There, he embarked on a new life and quickly became involved in Israeli politics. He founded the Yisrael BaAliyah party, advocating for the rights of Soviet Jewish immigrants, and held several ministerial posts. His political career was marked by his commitment to Jewish causes and the integration of Soviet immigrants into Israeli society.
Beyond politics, Sharansky has written extensively on human rights and the struggle for freedom. He has received numerous accolades for his contributions to society, including the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His writings continue to inspire those fighting for human rights and freedom across the globe.