Russia moves to dissolve Jewish Agency that promotes immigration to Israel

• Russia’s Ministry of Justice requests liquidation of Russian branch of Jewish Agency. The non-profit promotes immigration to Israel from Russia.
• Move follows criticism of Russia’s war in Ukraine by Israel’s foreign minister.
• Relations between Israel and Russia deteriorated after relations between the two countries deteriorated.

LONDON, 21 JULY – According to a Moscow court, Russia’s Ministry of Justice has requested the liquidation of the Russian branch of the Jewish Agency, a non-profit organisation that promotes immigration to Israel.

According to the Basmanny district court’s website, the ministry filed the request on July 15, and it will be heard on July 28. There was no explanation given for the case’s inception.

The action against the Jerusalem-based organisation, the world’s largest Jewish non-profit organisation, follows Israel’s criticism of Russia’s war in Ukraine, in which Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid accused Russia of war crimes in April.

Despite thousands of deaths in nearly five months of war, Moscow has repeatedly denied atrocities and stated that it does not target civilians.

“The war in Ukraine will not hold Russian Jews hostage. The attempt to punish the Jewish Agency for Israel’s war stance is heinous and offensive “Nachman Shai, Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister, responded to the news of the court filing.

According to the Jerusalem Post, Russian authorities suspect the Jewish Agency of illegally gathering data on Russian citizens, and the move is linked to tensions between Israel and Russia over Ukraine and Syria.

According to Israeli government data, approximately 7,000 Jews emigrated from Russia to Israel last year.

Despite not sending military aid to Ukraine, Israel has condemned Russia’s invasion of its neighbour. Relations with Moscow, which had previously been strong, deteriorated in May after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Hitler had Jewish ancestors, inciting outrage in Israel.