Russian Jews Look to Relocate to Israel in Response to Putin Decree

RUSSIA (VINnews) — According to Israeli media, officials are concerned that Vladimir Putin’s new “mobilization decree” could be devastating to the Russian Jewish community.

The reports say that tens of thousands of Russian Jews are dual nationals with Israeli passports who may be forced to fight as soldiers in Ukraine.

The new law says that prior service in a foreign military does not exempt people from the decree, which means that those who have previously served in the Israeli army can be drafted by Russia.

Understandably, Jews are reluctant to serve in the Russian army for many reasons, as are many non-Jewish Russians. Even in good times the military is fraught with torment and danger, and in the current conflict with Ukraine specifically, tens of thousands of Russian soldiers have already been killed, and the Russian government is extremely callous toward its own service members.

It appears that many Jews in Russia blame the current draft crisis on the Israeli government and the Jewish Agency for failing to be more proactive in preventing them from being forced to serve. There have been many searching the web for overseas movers full service to help with the relocation.

However the Russian government’s crackdown on the Jewish Agency has limited it to 2,000 new immigrants from Russia and Belarus per month.

On Sunday, the Israeli government is set to study a $25 million plan by Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman and Aliyah Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata, allocated to receiving Russian immigrants.

On a separate note, there has reportedly been friction between Ukraine and Israel in recent weeks.

An Israeli television channel reported that Israeli official Simona Halperin visited Kiev several weeks ago and met with Maksym Subkh, Ukraine’s special representative for West Asia.

As a result of recent drone activity by Russia, Subkh pleaded with Israel to share crucial intel on Iranian capabilities, since the drones and other weapons being used are manufactured by Iran.

Additionally, Ukraine blasted Israel’s decision to abstain from providing aid to the Ukrainian army, despite its vocal diplomatic support of Kiev.

Jewish President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his shock and disappointment. “I don’t know what happened to Israel. I’m honestly, frankly – I am in shock, because I don’t understand why they couldn’t give us air defenses,” said Zelensky.