Russia’s Justice Ministry has gone to Moscow’s Basmany District Court to shut down a Jewish Agency organizing immigration to Israel Israel condemns Russian moves and sees it as punishment for its stance in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russia’s Justice Ministry has moved to court to close the Russian branch of Sochnut, the Jewish immigration agency over unspecified legal breaches. It has lodged a lawsuit at Moscow’s Basmany District Court. And the court has scheduled a hearing on 28th July. The Israeli government, however, has criticized Russian moves seeing them as punishment for its stance over Ukraine. Nachman Shai, Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister, said, “Russian Jews will not be held hostage by the war in Ukraine. Russia’s attempt to punish the Jewish Agency for Israel’s position on the war is pathetic and insulting”.
Sochnuk and Jewish Emigration to Israel
Sochnuk was set up in 1929 to facilitate Jewish emigration into Israel. Israel calls this Aliyah. During the Soviet era, the Russian government banned Sochnuk’s activities in Russia due to its staunch anti-Israel stance. It eventually lifted the ban in 1989 and nearly nine million Jews moved to Israel between 1989 and 2006. In 2021 27,057 Jews had moved to Israel from Russia, according to Jerusalem Post. The number has increased to 16,598 during the first few months of this year. The war and western sanctions against Russia may affect emigration too. There are speculations that these two have led to a Russian brain drain.
Russia’s Moves May Worsen Ties with Israel
The Russian Justice Ministry so far hasn’t said anything on Israeli protestations. Sochnuk too has confirmed the court date but has declined to say anything else. It is largely independent, but also has ties with the Israeli government. Earlier this month it said that it was still operating despite Russian allegations of legal violations.
“ There is no justifiable reason to stop the activities of the agency and therefore diplomatic efforts are underway to clarify the issue and regulate the activities,” said Pnina Tamino Shete, Israeli Minister of Aliyah and Integration.
Israel has so far not joined the international sanctions against Russia. Relations between the two countries were relatively stable in recent years. Yet Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has strained their relationship. In April Russia protested when then Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid accused Russia of war crimes in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Israel tried to vote out Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council. Next Russia offended Israel when Sergei Lavrov claimed Nazi leader Adolf Hitler “had Jewish blood”. Lavrov particularly aimed at Volodymyr Zelensky because he’s ethnically Jewish and because Russia sees Ukraine’s government as “Nazi”.
Russia’s current move may further deteriorate its relationship with Israel, though Israel has sent a delegation to clear any issues.
Israel to Send a Delegation to Moscow
While it has condemned the Russian move, Israel may send a delegation to Moscow to talk with Russian officials. The Prime Minister’s Office in Israel said that PM Yair Lapid held a “situational assessment” on the issue.
“ During this situational assessment, it was decided to dispatch a delegation (with representatives from) the Prime Minister’s Office, Justice Ministry, Immigration and Absorption Ministry next week to ensure the continued operations of the Jewish Agency in Russia, it said.
Israel may also hold a follow-up meeting on the matter on Sunday.” The Jewish community in Russia is deeply connected to Israel and its importance comes up in every diplomatic conversation with the Russian leadership. We will continue to act through diplomatic channels so the important work of the agency is not impeded” Yair Lapid said.
( Inputs, BBC, Bloomberg, Times of Israel)
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