The Jerusalem Post: Jewish agency Sokhnut allowed physical departure from Russia

The Jewish Agency for Israel Sokhnut is considering the possibility of completely curtailing its physical presence in Russia and transferring work with repatriates to a remote mode. Plans to move all operations from Russia to Israel were discussed at the agency's Jerusalem headquarters on August 10, despite progress in resolving tensions between Moscow and Tel Aviv, according to a Jerusalem Post source.

“The Jewish Agency will carry out all its work on repatriation from Israel – online or by phone. But the problem is that there will be no way to call for repatriation in Russia itself,” the source said.

In addition, the likely curtailment of activities in Russia will force Sokhnut to change the model of work with charitable foundations. “They will not conduct any physical activities in Russia, but they will finance local events or send temporary educators from Israel to support the life of the Jewish community,” the source added.

A senior Israeli official, in a commentary to The Jerusalem Post, said that the Sokhnut does not intend to leave Russia, but will adapt to the requirements of local legislation and work as far as legally possible.

• Relations between Russia and Israel began to deteriorate after the invasion of Ukraine. Israel condemned the actions of the Russian Federation and expressed support for Ukraine, but did not join Western sanctions. In May, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Adolf Hitler "had Jewish blood." Vladimir Putin later apologized to Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett for Lavrov's words.
• On July 21, the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation demanded the liquidation of the representative office of the Sokhnut agency, and on July 25, the department threatened several other Jewish organizations with inclusion in the register of “foreign agents”. The Russian authorities say that what is happening is not related to politics and the Ministry of Justice's demand is connected with a violation of Russian law.