(Jewish Group) Russia orders Jewish Agency to cease work and remove staff from country

[Behind the Aegis]

In provocative move, Russia orders Jewish Agency to cease work and remove staff from country, Russian media reports

In an unprecedented move, the Russian government has told the local representatives of the Jewish Agency for Israel to end their activities and leave the country, according to reports in Russian media Thursday.

The move comes amid increasing tension between Russia and Israel over Israel’s response to Russia’s war on Ukraine, and as Russia seeks to strengthen ties with Iran.

The closure of the Jewish Agency’s local offices means that Russians will no longer be able to apply for citizenship in Israel from Russia, evoking memories of when Russian Jews were not allowed to leave under communism. It also means that the efforts to promote emigration to Israel and community-building activities offered by the Jewish Agency in Russia will be curtailed.

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But the main reason for the move, he estimated, is geopolitics. “Cutting diplomatic relations with Israel or shooting down one of its planes is too drastic an action for Russia right now, so the Jewish Agency is a soft target to send a message,” they said.

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Bring on the pogroms!