Natan Sharansky

Israeli politician and human rights activist

Natan Sharansky, born in Ukraine, is a prominent Israeli politician and human rights activist. As a Soviet dissident, he was imprisoned for his advocacy of Jewish emigration rights. After his release in 1986, he emigrated to Israel, where he founded the Zionist Forum to support Soviet immigrants. Sharansky served in various ministerial roles and chaired the Jewish Agency. His contributions have been recognized with awards like the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.