Conflict with Israel over war?
Moscow wants to ban Jewish Agency in Russia
07/21/2022, 10:19 p.m
There are cracks in the close relations between Russia and Israel. Not only is Moscow dissatisfied with the Israeli attitude to the war in Ukraine. Now the Russian Ministry of Justice is also seeking a ban on an important Jewish NGO.
Russia’s Justice Ministry wants to disband an organization that seeks to attract Jews from around the world to Israel amid tensions with Israel over the country’s war of aggression against Ukraine. A lawsuit against the Jewish Agency for Israel has been filed in Moscow’s Bassmany District Court and is scheduled to be heard on July 28, Russia’s Interfax agency reported. According to media reports, the ban on the non-governmental organization is said to have political reasons and is likely to lead to tensions between Moscow and Jerusalem.
According to the court, the lawsuit concerns the organization’s alleged violations of Russian laws. Details were not given. The Department of Justice subjected the organization to a comprehensive audit from May 30 to June 27. Shortly thereafter, the first rumors about a possible closure appeared, but were initially denied.
The Federation of Jewish Communities in Russia spoke of “very bitter news”. “Even if there were indeed legal issues, the governments of Russia and Israel should have worked out measures to correct the errors and should not have banned the Jewish Agency in Russia,” said a representative of the federation.
There have been reports of attempts by the Israeli government to advocate for the state-affiliated agency. However, there could be political reasons for the sanction. Moscow is said to be dissatisfied with Jerusalem’s attitude in the Ukraine war.
The Israeli government has condemned Russia’s attack on the neighboring country and declared its solidarity with Ukraine. In contrast to the western states, however, Israel has not yet imposed any sanctions on Russia. Observers justify this with Israel’s security interests. Among other things, Russia has a major influence on the situation in Syria, a neighboring country of Israel.