"xxxxx indicated that Jewish immigration from Israel to Russia greatly exceeded that of emigration from Russia to Israel.."

Via-Friday-Lunch-Club

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 002837


SUBJECT: RABBIS SHAYEVICH AND GOLDSCHMIDT CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT RUSSIAN JEWISH COMMUNITY


Classified By: Ambassador John Beyrle for reason 1.4 (d)


¶1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador met separately with xxxxx during the week of September 15....
[...]

¶9. (C) xxxxx indicated that Jewish immigration from Israel to Russia greatly exceeded that of emigration from Russia to Israel. xxxxx appeared impressed by the level of reverse immigration from Israel to Russia, saying that only approximately 1,000 Russians emigrated to Israel over the past year. xxxxx impressions, saying that approximately 2,000 Jews in the entire former Soviet Union moved to Israel in the past year. Both regarded the figures as the product of Russia's growing stability and wealth. Adding greater depth on Russian-Israeli relations, xxxxx blamed the falling dollar for the reduction of Israeli support to the Russian Jewish educational system. xxxxx lauded the recently signed visa-free travel agreement between Russia and Israel since it would mean less work for him, no longer needing to help his community members receive visas.

Beyrle

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