MosNews - 01.20.2005

MosNews

Israel Voices Concern at Anti-Semitism in Russia, Calls Officials “Drunks”


Israel’s Foreign Ministry has expressed concern over growing anti-Semitism in Russia after a wave of attacks including an assault on a rabbi by six skinheads and the desecration of 40 graves at a Jewish cemetery. 

Sources close to the Israeli ambassador in Russia sharply criticized the way the Moscow authorities were dealing with the attacks. “Sometimes it seems like we’re working with drunks,” Israeli Defense Forces radio quoted the source as saying on Thursday. 

Government officials in Jerusalem even considered reprimanding the Russian ambassador in Israel; however, the meeting was postponed for fear of opening a second front against the Russians while the crisis over reported Russian missile sales to Syria remains unresolved.

Sources at the Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv expressed regret over the recent incidents and condemned all manifestations of religious hatred.

Moscow prosecutors said Thursday that three men had been detained on suspicion of beating Rabbis Alexander Lakshin and Eliahu Fomiuk in a Moscow underpass late Friday night. 

Meanwhile, earlier last week, Russia’s chief Rabbi Berl Lazar criticized a U.S. State Department report alleging rising anti-Semitism in Russia, and noted instead positive improvements in his country.