Updated: Later, the Sokhnut representative office in Moscow published the following comment: “The Jewish Agency for Israel representative office and the organizations established by the Jewish Agency for Israel in the Russian Federation continue to carry out their activities in accordance with the requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation. There have been no requests for an immediate cessation of operations.”
The Russian authorities demanded that the Sokhnut (Jewish Agency) stop its activities in Russia. According to The Jerusalem Post, citing sources, the Zionist organization received such a letter earlier this week.
The Sokhnut confirmed receipt of the letter, but did not comment on the answer, which is currently under consideration in the organization's office in Jerusalem. The answer will be coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister's Office.
“As part of the work of the Jewish Agency delegation in Russia, we are required from time to time to make certain adjustments, as required by the authorities … Contacts with the authorities are ongoing in order to continue our activities in accordance with the rules established by the competent authorities. Even today, such a dialogue takes place, ”the publication quotes the commentary of the Sokhnut.
This order could undermine the process of aliyah of Russian Jews to Israel, the newspaper notes, as well as jeopardize the projects of Jewish communities in Russia.
The decision to ban the Sokhnut came amid growing tensions between Israel and Russia over Jerusalem's stance on the war in Ukraine and its policy of supporting Kyiv.
On July 4, the Russian Foreign Ministry called unacceptable the strikes on Syria, which Israel is accused of, and demanded their unconditional cessation.