NEW YORK (VINnews) — Russia has published a list of 963 government officials and leading Americans who are banned from entering the country, apparently in retaliation for similar moves by Washington since the offensive in Ukraine.
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The list, published May 21, includes U.S. President Joe Biden, business leaders such as Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and a number of other top Americans.
The largely symbolic move names several top officials from the Biden administration, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
The list also includes House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Democrat-California), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (Democrat-New York), and the president’s son, Hunter Biden. However the list omits former presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama, although former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is included in the ban.
Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman, who had not previously been cited by Russian authorities, also appeared on the persona non grata list. He is now accused by Moscow of having recorded a video in 2017 in which he claimed Russia was plotting against the United States.
Curiously, Russia also banned three former senators who are deceased: John McCain (Republican-Arizona), Harry Reid (Democrat-Nevada), and Orrin Hatch (Republican-Utah).
Three prominent Chabad rabbis who hold leadership positions in the movement’s top organizations were also included in Russia’s blacklist : Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, Rabbi Avremel Shemtov, chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad, and California Head Shliach Rabbi Shlomo Cunin. The Ministry’s list describes Krinsky as “rabbi, secretary of Agudas Chasidei Chabad”, Cunin as “Rabbi, member of the board of Agudas Chasidei Chabad”, and Shemtov as “Rabbi, chairman of the board of Agudas Chasidei Chabad”.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry did not detail the reason for most individuals on the list, and did not specify why the rabbis had made it on. Each of the three, however, have been involved in efforts to have Russia return the Schneerson Collection to Chabad’s ownership, a move that Russia has decried on numerous occasions.
The lawyer representing Chabad in its legal suits against Russia, Nathan (Nate) Lewin, also features on the list, as well as a number of other less-known Jewish figures.
Why did VIN delete the articles about Ger, and then repost it with all the comments removed as well as disabling comments? Who are you afraid of? How much did Sol Werdyger pay you?
I think all those Rabunim should Bentch Goymel that they are banned from entering Russia.
Imagine that they were NOT banned and they travelled there , they probably would of been found dead like all other people who Putin got rid off. At least they are safe home in USA and can travel the rest of the world.
It is an honor to be included in such a list of dignitaries, quite frankly.
Back in the late 1960’s when the Israelis were sending American Jews into the former USSR to bring home and encouragement along with siddurim and tefillin, I was banned by the Soviets and refused a visa because they were aware of my activism. Not much has actually changed.
Why would anyone in their right mind, want to visit that wretched country?
How can I get listed?
We now know Russia is run by a fool does anyone really care a nation with a c team military and makeshift weapons is beating them
Putin emachshemoy!!!
Are any of the Trumps on the list of those banned? How about Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones, Marjorie Greene, Lauren Boebart, Ron DeSantis?
I wonder why other rabbis are still welcome. I suppose they have not spoken out.
Russia has been tough on sects for years (like the Witnesses, LDS, and others). Maybe it is now the turn of Chabad-Lubavitch.
RUSSIA ? CUNIN ?DID HE SUE WOMEM IN CALIFORNIA FOR MONEY ?
The US should ban lazar