The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a commentary on the US State Department report on manifestations of anti-Semitism in the world

On January 11, 2005, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko commented on the report of the US State Department on the situation with anti-Semitism in 62 countries of the world, in which he called Russia's accusations of anti-Semitism inappropriate.

As far as Russia is concerned, the comment notes, the report "actually reproduces the assessments that were already circulated in the State Department's September report on the situation with religious freedoms in various countries . "

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs points out that "the attempt of its authors to somehow combine the objective evidence of the Russian Jewish community about the absence of anti-Semitism in Russia at the state level with the expression of" concern "with certain manifestations of religious and national intolerance" on the ground "and on the part of a number of political parties" looks frankly artificial. " .

"As for the problem of youth extremist groups, which is also mentioned in the report, it, unfortunately, makes itself felt in many countries ," Yakovenko said. He recalled that anti-Semitic crimes are also recorded in the United States, including the desecration of Jewish cemeteries and synagogues by vandals, not to mention united Europe, where anti-Semitic actions inspired by "skinheads" have become more frequent.

Mikhail Berger, a member of the public council of the RJC, dedicated his commentary to the Foreign Ministry's response in No. 1 of Moskovskie Novosti. The publicist notes that the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry is unconvincing: the State Department report refers to specific crimes, while the Foreign Ministry declares the absence of state anti-Semitism in Russia.

"As a Jew, I'm frightened by the level of irritation with which the authorities react to a fairly correct statement of facts notes M. Berger ," . . In such a situation, official anti-Semitism is not needed, the author concludes, "because the public position of the authorities gives a certain signal and great hope to public anti-Semites" .

Sources

• Russian Foreign Ministry called accusations of anti-Semitism artificial // Novye Izvestia. 2005. January 12.
• Russia rejects US claims on anti-Semitism // BBCRussian.com. 2005. January 12.
• Berger M. About Jews and diplomats // Moscow news. 2005. January 14.