Press Release - 03.08.99

Board Meeting Focuses on Anti-Semitism

(l. to r.) NCSJ Chairman Denis C. Braham, Board Member Sandra Goldberg of Palm Beach, Florida, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL)

WASHINGTON—The National Conference on Soviet Jewry held its Board of Governors’ Meeting at the U.S. Capitol on March 8, 1999. Keynote addresses were delivered by Representative Robert Wexler (D-FL), Dr. Ariel Cohen, Senior Policy Analyst at the Heritage Foundation, and Carlos Pascual, Senior Director for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia at the U.S. National Security Council.

"Here on Capitol Hill, the National Conference testified twice on the situation in Russia in recent weeks," said NCSJ Chairman Denis C. Braham, "and we continue to monitor the situation closely."

Shai Franklin briefed attendees on legislative issues, from anti-Semitism to foreign aid to NCSJ’s efforts on Capitol Hill, and highlighted the important role of Congressional staffers in this effort. NCSJ President Howard Sachs reported on his recent trip to Brussels with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, covering the former Soviet Union’s role in "the new Europe" including relations with the European Union and NATO.

Mark Hetfield, Washington Representative of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), discussed the increase to 50 percent in denial rates by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in Moscow despite the rise in anti-Semitism. The INS claims that there is no official policy change underlying the increase in denial rates, yet Hetfield reported that the INS has failed to correct this problem.

Carlos Pascual addressed current conditions in Russia in an off-the-record session.

Rep. Wexler: We Need to be Prepared

Congressman Wexler addressed the importance of advancing the cause of Jews in the former Soviet Union: "It isn’t just an issue but an obligation." Regarding anti-Semitism in Russia today, Rep. Wexler said, "We must do whatever we can do to create the public pressure and the private pressure at the highest levels of the United States and the Russian governments to address this problem in as responsive a way as possible."

The problem of anti-Semitism remains prevalent in the former Soviet Union. "It seems as though history is once again repeating itself," Wexler said, "where anti-Semitism becomes a political strategy." In addition, the deteriorating economic situation shows no sign of likely improvement.

How can Capitol Hill manage the risks? Those in Congress must have a debate and come up with a strategy for putting as much pressure on Russian officials to "minimize the catastrophe in the former Soviet Union."

"I am proud to have participated with Congressman [Gary] Ackerman in writing a letter to the Secretary of State requesting that she put this issue on the front burner at the highest level with her counterparts in Russia." He added that the Secretary of State does not need much prodding, for she is already an ally. "We have the responsibility to create action at the highest levels in the United States."

He said that the U.S., as an economic role model, and Israel both politically and militarily, have never been stronger. In that context, "We need to be prepared, at a moment’s notice, to take whatever action we can possibly take at any point in time to make sure the Jewish people of the FSU are safe and — if need be — to get them out."

Rep. Wexler then stressed the importance of maintaining contact with all Members of Congress and related that it is invigorating to hear from constituents from one’s own district. "When it comes to fighting anti-Semitism in the former Soviet Union, partisanship really does break down and it breaks down because Jewish communities from across the country are involved with their Members of Congress…"

Cohen Discusses Anti-Semitism, Current Situation in Russia

Dr. Ariel Cohen analyzed the deteriorating political climate in Russia, the "economic black hole," the worsening conditions for Jews, and prospects for further emigration.

"When the going is good, Jews do not leave," said Dr. Ariel Cohen, who immigrated to Israel in the early 1970s from Saratov, Russia. "As in the past, when the going gets rough Jews are to blame in Russia."

Cohen depicted the gravity of the situation: "On the one hand, [Russia is in] an economic slump, and on the other hand you have some prominent Jews in the media, banking, business and politics, and you have politicians who are trying intentionally to build their own political capital using anti-Semitism."

He argued that "the problem with the current regime is that there is no policy and they have no state." The worst fear is that, in a collapsing state that cannot implement economic policy, an ultra-nationalist coalition taking power or a descent into anarchy are real threats, where armed groups could begin widespread violence against Jews. Another concern is Russia’s continuing transfer of nuclear weapons technology and materials to Iran. Such negative developments put U.S.-Russia relations in doubt.

While today there are no longer any serious governmental restraints to emigration, many of the Jews left behind are not competitive in a Western environment. Many of those who were competitive (with technological training, for example) left a long time ago. Cohen warned of the potential for Russia to become very dangerous very quickly.

Looking toward Russia’s 2000 presidential election, for which some candidates have already begun campaigning, Cohen said that some two-thirds of Russian voters in polls have expressed nostalgia for the Soviet days and the social safety net that has since disappeared. Cohen said that Krasnoyarsk Governor Alexander Lebed has not yet courted ultra-nationalists, and "comes across as someone who can establish law and order…but Lebed has fizzled as a political contender."

Today, Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov is the most popular presidential contender, said Cohen. Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov has a positive record with the Jewish community, but he has also courted nationalists. "Luzhkov is a pragmatic politician interested in becoming the president, and will move in a pretty wide spectrum saying things that will please different audiences," Cohen warned.

Cohen said that, although an article in Russia’s Criminal Code restricts dissemination of anti-Semitic propaganda, "the record of prosecution is abysmal." He attributed the problem to "the failure on both personal and institutional levels to utilize the laws that are on the books to prosecute…and this does not bode well for the stability of the Russian state."