Moscow’s former chief rabbi, who left Russia in protest at the invasion of Ukraine, warned on Thursday of a possible rise in anti-Semitism in Russia, citing “dark clouds on the horizon” for Jews in his country.
“There are many dark clouds on the horizon, this was illustrated by the great exodus of many members of the Jewish community,” said Pinchas Goldschmidt, who left Russia in March and now resides in Israel.
In an online chat with journalists, he noted that the Jews had left out of fear that a new “iron curtain” would prevent them from leaving the territory in the future and expressed fears of “an increase in anti-Semitism” in Russia. .
“Our community did not support the war”
He stated that “the Jewish community in Russia was pressured … to openly support the war. Our community did not support the war.”
“Right now it would be impossible for me to return (to Russia) and if I had remained the chief rabbi of Moscow, I would not be able to speak openly without endangering my community,” he said.
“I have decided to stay in exile until the political situation changes,” he added, while relations between Russia and Israel experienced a tense episode.
Crucial ties between Israel and Moscow
Moscow’s recent desire to shut down the Jewish Agency, an Israeli para-governmental organization responsible for Jewish immigration to Israel, has been strongly denounced by the Jewish state, which sees it as a punitive measure in reaction to the new government’s positions against the Russians. . offensive in Ukraine, launched in February. For the Russian Ministry of Justice, the Jewish Agency is violating the law, which would explain this decision. A hearing is set for August 19 in Moscow.
According to the Jewish Agency, 16,000 Russian Jews have arrived in Israel since the start of the offensive. For Pinchas Goldschmidt, more than 30,000 people, holders of dual Russian-Israeli nationality, have left Russia since February 24. After the invasion of Ukraine, Israel took a cautious stance, with then-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett advocating privileged ties with both countries.
But his successor, Yair Lapid, has criticized the offensive since taking office in early July, though he has remained cautious about preserving ties with Moscow, seen as crucial to preserving Israel’s ability to carry out airstrikes in Syria, where Moscow is present in support of the regime. . Israel is targeting groups close to Iran, its number one enemy, in particular.
In addition, Israel has more than a million citizens of the former Soviet Union.
Source: BFM TV
