Natan Sharansky
Natan Sharansky: A Life of Courage and Conviction
Full Name and Common Aliases
Natan Sharansky was born Anatoly Scharansky on January 24, 1948, in Tauroggen, Lithuania (now part of Klaipėda, Lithuania). He is commonly known by his Hebrew name, Natan.
Birth and Death Dates
January 24, 1948 – present
Nationality and Profession(s)
Israeli citizen; former refusenik, dissident, and politician. Sharansky's career spanned various fields, including politics, activism, and writing.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a Jewish family in Soviet Lithuania, Natan Sharansky experienced the early days of anti-Semitism under Stalinist rule. His father, Mikhail Scharansky, was an engineer who fought in World War II, while his mother, Tina (née Kuznetsova), worked as a teacher.
As a young man, Sharansky showed exceptional aptitude for mathematics and science, earning a spot at Moscow's prestigious Lomonosov University. However, the Soviet government denied him permission to continue his studies abroad, marking the beginning of his struggle against the regime.
Major Accomplishments
In 1977, Natan Sharansky became one of the most prominent figures in the Soviet dissident movement when he attempted to leave the Soviet Union for Israel. He was arrested and charged with espionage, but his trial only drew international attention to the plight of Soviet Jews seeking emigration.
Sharansky spent nine years in Soviet prisons, during which time he continued to advocate for Jewish rights and exposure of human rights abuses within the Soviet system. His unwavering determination earned him an international reputation as a champion of freedom and democracy.
In 1986, after prolonged diplomatic efforts by the United States and Israel, Sharansky was released from prison in exchange for two Soviet spies held in the West. He settled in Israel, where he went on to become a prominent figure in politics, serving as Minister without Portfolio (1992-1995) and Chairman of the Jewish Agency (2009-2010).
Notable Works or Actions
Natan Sharansky's notable works include:
* The Case for Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror (2004), a book co-authored with Ron Dermer that outlines his vision for democracy and human rights.
As Minister without Portfolio, he played a key role in negotiating the Wye River Memorandum (1998) between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. His tenure at the Jewish Agency saw increased efforts to promote aliyah (immigration to Israel), particularly among Soviet Jewry.
Impact and Legacy
Natan Sharansky's impact on world events extends far beyond his personal story as a dissident. He has been credited with helping thousands of Jews escape persecution in the Soviet Union, paving the way for their eventual resettlement in Israel.
Sharansky's advocacy for democratic values has inspired countless individuals worldwide to stand up against tyranny and oppression. His conviction that "freedom is better than bread" continues to resonate today as a guiding principle for those fighting for human rights.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Natan Sharansky is widely quoted and remembered due to his unwavering commitment to democracy, human rights, and freedom of speech. His remarkable life story serves as an inspiration to individuals everywhere who struggle against injustice and tyranny.
His determination to stand up for what he believes in has left a lasting impact on the world stage.
Quotes by Natan Sharansky
The three main sources of scepticism are first, that not every people desires freedom; second, that democracy in certain parts of the world would be dangerous; and third, that there is little the world's democracies can do to advance freedom outside their countries.
To understand why dictators have a problem with making peace – or at least a genuine peace – the link between the nature of a regime and its external behavior must be understood.
The three main sources of scepticism are first, that not every people desires freedom second, that democracy in certain parts of the world would be dangerous and third, that there is little the world’s democracies can do to advance freedom outside their countries.
My theory is that security – also against terror – can only be accomplished through global democratization.
Imagine if the United States, in its war against Hitler, had said to Stalin: we don’t want your support until you make your country democratic.
Unfortunately, little attention was paid to how Arafat ruled. In fact, some saw the harsh and repressive nature of Arafat’s regime as actually bolstering the prospects for peace.
If you have to fight an enemy at a critical point in time, and you have an ally who happens to be a dictator, you don’t say: Let’s stop fighting right now, because you’re not a democrat. That would be ridiculous.
In dictatorships you need courage to fight evil; in the free world you need courage to see evil.
They tried their best to find a place where I was isolated. But all the resources of a superpower cannot isolate the man who hears a voice of freedom, a voice I heard from the very chamber of my soul.