Antisemitism in Russia

Antisemitism in Russia refers to acts of hostility against Jews in Russia and the promotion of antisemitic views in the country since the end of the Soviet Union. In recent years, particularly since the early 2000s, levels of anti-semitism in Russia have been low, and steadily decreasing.

Spheres of Antisemitism

Political life

During the 1990s anti-Semitism was an enduring undercurrent and source of anxiety, its presence affirmed by easily accessible anti-Semitic newspapers and other publications, street or popular anti-Semitism. The number of anti-Semitic incidents rose sharply after the 1998 Russian financial crisis, the devaluation of the ruble, and the ensuing economic hardships affecting a broad segment of the general population.

The most high-profile anti-Semitic voices are those of several Russian communist public figures such as Nikolai Kondratenko, the governor of Krasnodar Krai. The latter has blamed the Kremlin, which he claims is controlled by Jews and Zionists, for the demise of the communist party, the Chechen conflict and other problems. He had formed an alliance with local Cossacks and is said to believe that an international Jewish conspiracy rules the world. and deputies of the State Duma from the CPRF, Albert Makashov and Viktor Ilyukhin. On November 1998 the State Duma considered and rejected a measure to denounce Makashov. In late December 1998 Gennady Zyuganov, leader of the Russian Communist Party, was under pressure to publicly censure the bigoted statements of his comrades and did indeed denounce anti-Semitism, but at the same time labeled Zionism "a blood relative of fascism".

Since the mid-2000s incorporation of antisemitic discourse into the platforms and speeches of nationalist political movements in Russia has been reported by human rights monitors in Russia as well as in the press. Antisemitic slogans and rhetoric in public demonstrations are frequently reported, most of them attributed to nationalist parties and political groups. In a February 23, 2006 rally celebrating “Defenders of the Fatherland Day”, a yearly tribute to war veterans, according to the newspaper Kommersant, marchers flourished signs with messages including "Kikes! Stop drinking Russian blood!", “White Power!", and "A Russian government for Russia".

In 2001, 98 United States Senators penned a letter to President Putin, expressing concern about popular antisemitism, radical extremists (such as former Klansman and Grand Wizard David Duke) in the Russian Federation.

In recent years, particularly since the early 2000s, levels of anti-semitism in Russia have been low, and steadily decreasing. However, there have still been incidents of antisemitism recorded.

Religion

On June 9, 2005, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexei II addressed the international conference of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Cordoba, Spain, to declare that the Russian Orthodox Church shares concerns over "incidents of antisemitism, xenophobia and other forms of racism". He described antisemitism, as "one of the more radical expression of misanthropy and racism", and said its perpetrators included “public figures, publicists, and the leaders of radical organizations".

See also

• History of the Jews in Russia
• Israel–Russia relations
• Antisemitism in the Russian Empire
• Antisemitism in the Soviet Union
• Anti-Jewish pogroms in the Russian Empire
• Racism in Russia