Pinchas Goldschmidt said that at a time when the country’s political system was in danger, his government was trying to direct the anger of the masses to the Jewish community.
The former Chief Rabbi of Moscow Pinchas Goldschmidt resigned and left Russia in July of this year after he refused to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In an interview with The Guardian, he urged Russian Jews to leave Russia as soon as they could.
“When we look back at the entire history of Russia, at a time when the country’s political system was in danger, its government tried to direct the anger and discontent of the masses to the Jewish community. We saw this during the tsarist times and at the end of the Stalinist regime,” Goldschmidt emphasized.
And he added that he could see the rise of anti-Semitism as Russia reverted to a new kind of Soviet Union, step by step bringing down the iron curtain.
“Therefore, I believe that the best option for the Jews of Russia is to leave. The leaders of the communities are under pressure to support the war, and I refuse to do so. I resigned because the will remain in the position of Chief Rabbi of Moscow will be a problem for the community for the repressive measures taken against the dissidents,” he recalled.
According to The Guardian, about 165,000 Jews lived in Russia at the beginning of 2022. According to Goldschmidt, after February 24, 25-30% of Russian Jews are ready to leave Russia, but the return process is complicated by a reduction in flights between the Russian Federation and Israel, and a fourfold increase in the cost of plane tickets. .
It will be recalled that earlier the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valery Zaluzhny, met with the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine, Moshe Reuven Azman.
news Correspondent.net on Telegram. Subscribe to our channel Athletistic
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.