Minister of Information and Diaspora Yuli Edelstein held a special celebration on Thursday, to mark the 25th anniversary of his release from a Soviet prison.
Edelstein, who was born in Chernivtsi in the Soviet Union, was arrested and imprisoned in 1984 for encouraging Hebrew learning and aliyah (immigration to Israel). He spent three and a half years in a labor camp in difficult conditions, until he was released and allowed to immigrate to Israel in 1987.
Edelstein’s release occurred on the same day on which Israel celebrates Yom Ha’atzmaut, its Independence Day.
During the celebration, a special video presentation which shows key moments in Edelstein’s life in Israel was screened.