A Moscow court released today that the Russian Ministry of Justice ordered the dissolution of the Jewish Agency in the country due to the tension generated by the war with Ukraine. The allegation is that there are “legal violations” on the part of the organization.
The Jewish Agency was founded in 1929 and has been operating in Russia since 1989, just a few years before the end of the Soviet Union. The organization works to strengthen ties between Jewish communities and, since the beginning of the war, has made possible the Aliyah of Ukrainians and Russians with Jewish roots, who immigrated to Israel with the support of the Law of Return.
Jews are patriots in the countries where they live and at the same time they are psychically connected to their spiritual homeland. To prevent the Jewish Agency from functioning in a country is to punish all Jews who live there.
Israel watches warily as Russia and Iran build stronger ties.
Israel is concerned that Russia’s criticism could move from rhetoric to action.
Russia can take practical action, like selling advanced weapons to Israel’s enemies in the region, or making trouble for Israel in Syria and Lebanon.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 28. To date, the Jewish Agency remains active in Russia.
