by Jennifer Lipman

Israel will be represented by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a prominent former Soviet dissident at Margaret Thatcher’s funeral on Wednesday.

The Israeli leader will be joined by former Soviet refusenik Natan Sharansky, who is now the chairman of the Jewish Agency.

“She was a leading and reliable voice supporting free emigration for Soviet Jews,” a spokesman for B’nai B’rith International said in a tribute message. “She spoke forcefully on behalf of Jews prevented from leaving the Soviet Union and demanded that restrictions be lifted.” …more.