Sharansky, Natan (Shcharansky, Antaloy)

(b. 1948)

   Israeli human rights activist, of Russian origin. He trained as a mathematician, but Israel's near defeat in the Yom Kippur War of 1973 provoked him into political activity. His ardent campaigns on behalf of Soviet refuseniks led to his imprisonment in 1978. After serving eight and a half years of a 13-year sentence, he was released. He emigrated to Israel to join his wife, Avital, a constant campaigner for the rights of Soviet Jews. Subsequently, he became involved in Israeli politics.