Russian Court Grants Israeli Request to Postpone Jewish Agency Hearing

Russia has granted Israel’s request to postpone a court hearing that could potentially see the closure of Jewish Agency offices [in Russia], Yisrael Hayom reported.

“We asked to postpone in order to modify the activities of the Anu association, which consolidates the agency’s activities in Russia, so that it would conform to the local law,” a political source involved in the matter said. He also said that Russia’s response may show that they are willing for the agency to remain open.

Moscow claims that Russia has closed dozens of associations connected to the West and the threat to the Jewish Agency was not a reaction to Israel’s support of Ukraine.

“Apparently, the Kremlin issued a sweeping directive on the matter, and its executives believed that it also applied to the Jewish Agency – without understanding the unique nature of its activity and its extraordinary importance to Israel. The current conduct of the Russians could indicate it’s trying to correct the mistake without admitting it,” he said.