Natan Sharansky

Politician, Human Rights Activis

Israel/Ukraine

Natan Sharansky is the Chairman and Founder of the political party Yisrael B'Aliyah (or "Israel on the Rise"), promoting the integration of Soviet Jews into the Israeli society. Mr. Sharansky was one of the founders and the spokesman of the Jewish and the Refusenik movement in Moscow Helsinki Watch Group, also known as Yuri Orlov's Group. In 1988, Mr. Sharansky was elected President of the Zionist Forum, an umbrella organization of former Soviet dissidents. He was also a contributing Editor for Jerusalem Report and a Board member of the Peace Watch. His book The Case For Democracy (2004, written together with Ron Dermer) had major influence on President George W. Bush and other U.S. government officials and policy makers.