American Jewish Committee Report Warns Russian Anti-Semitism 'Alive and Well'American Jewish Committee A decade after the collapse of Communism, anti-Semitism is "alive and well in Russia," but the government has not developed an effective system of combating it, according to a new American Jewish Committee report. The report, "Russian Jewish Elites and Anti-Semitism," points out that the resurgence of anti-Semitism comes as a number of Russian Jews, few of whom openly identify themselves as Jewish, have attained prominent positions in the country's business and political communities.  The same openness that allowed Jews to rise to prominence in recent years also has tolerated increased anti-Semitic expression - not only by nationalistic extremist groups, but also by the Communist Party, the largest faction in the Russian Parliament, according to the AJC report. In recent months, the parliament rejected proposals to censure two Communist lawmakers for their anti-Semitic pronouncements. Meanwhile, verbal attacks on government officials and business leaders with Jewish lineage have increased as the Russian economy deteriorated. "The malicious attacks prove that post-communist Russia still has a long way to go in overcoming a deeply-rooted tradition of anti-Semitism," AJC Executive Director David A. Harris said upon the report's publication. "We are encouraged that Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will raise American concerns about the recent rise in anti-Semitism during her visit to Moscow on Sunday." AJC gave Secretary Albright a copy of the report at a meeting at the State Department yesterday. "Russian Jewish Elites and Anti-Semitism" was prepared by Lev Krichevsky, the Moscow correspondent for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, an international news wire service. In the report Krichevsky provides: - An overview of the status of Jews among Russian elites since 1917; The perception of vast Jewish influence in the Kremlin is rooted in the come-from-behind 1996 reelection of President Boris Yeltsin, in which Jewish businessmen were seen to play a disproportionate role. "Had it not been for the role played by these tycoons in the last few years," writes Krichevsky, Jewish participation in the business elite, which is dominated by ethnic Russians, "would never have attracted such attention." The appointment of several Jews to high government positions deepened that perception, though "only a few of Russia's new elite of Jewish ancestry are open about their heritage," writes Krichevsky. "No prominent Jews - except the group of tycoons who created the Russian Jewish Congress - have ever identified themselves with the organized Jewish community. Like the majority of Russian Jews, they are highly assimilated. Some of them have even converted to Christianity, a step that does not prevent them from being widely considered as Jews." For example, former Finance Minister Anatoly Chubais, who has been attacked for the economic and social hardships that resulted from implementing measures to move Russia to a free-market economy, is probably the most unpopular politician with a Jewish background. But he has not discussed his ancestry and is not involved with the Jewish community. Judaism has never played an important role in the life of Grigory Yavlinsky, the leader of the liberal Yabloko Party in the parliament who has been a bitter critic of Yeltsin and plans to run for president in next year's elections. Nonetheless, in the eyes of the nationalist element of the Russian electorate Yavlinsky is a member of the so-called "Jewish entourage" of Yeltsin. In contrast, media tycoon Vladimir Goussinsky has been completely open about his Jewish identity. He helped found the Russian Jewish Congress and currently serves as the group's president. The prominent positions held by Russian Jews and the candor with which some of them speak about their background is indicative of a changing and complex society. On the one hand, Russian Jews enjoy more freedom than any time since 1917, and Jewish institutions are flourishing. On the other hand, traditional anti-Semitism and scapegoating are being expressed with increasing vigor. Younger Russians are more open-minded and less susceptible to xenophobic traditions than older generations, according to public opinion surveys, but "very little has been done to promote democracy and tolerance," writes Krichevsky. "School curricula offer little, if any, information on the history of Russian Jews and the Holocaust." Indeed, as Russia strives to develop a democratic society, there are real dangers that further economic deterioration could bolster those elements that use anti-Semitism and other forms of hate their own political gain. Some Jewish leaders fear that the presence of some Jews in high offices may actually encourage a growth in anti-Semitism. Ultimately, Krichevsky writes, Russian political leaders must take a firm stand against anti-Semitism and the judicial system needs to rigorously enforce existing laws against inciting ethnic and religious strife.
For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org |
 |
Email Article To A Friend |  |
Link to us! |
