Natan Sharansky is a prominent human rights advocate, former Soviet dissident, and Israeli statesman.

Born in Donetsk, Ukraine, he became a leading figure in the struggle for Soviet Jews’ right to immigrate to Israel. After applying to make Aliyah, he was falsely accused of treason and espionage, sentenced to nine years in the Soviet Gulag, and endured harsh imprisonment. Following international campaigns by Israel, world Jewry, and global leaders, Sharansky was released in 1986 and made Aliyah on the day of his release.

In Israel, Natan founded the Zionist Forum to aid Soviet Olim in their absorption. Later, he established the Yisrael B’Aliyah party, in order to accelerate the integration of Russian Jews into Israeli society. He served in four Israeli governments as a Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

From 2009 to 2018, he served as Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel, and he continues to lead initiatives, including as founder and Chairman of the Shlihut Institute, Chair of the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy, and the Advisory Board of CAM – Combat Antisemitism Movement.

Natan is a recipient of the Israel Prize, Congressional Medal of Honor, and Presidential Medal of Freedom, and he has authored four books.

Natan Sharansky made Aliyah from Ukraine in 1986.