https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-711286
How will banning the Jewish Agency affect Russian Jews?
There are 150,000 Jews in Russia’s “core Jewish population,” but more than half a million are entitled to receive Israeli citizenship.
Until 30 years ago, emissaries of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) would work in the Former USSR undercover; as if they were Mossad agents. Practicing Judaism wasn’t something that was allowed and therefore many Israelis and diaspora Jews would penetrate the country and try to teach any bit of Hebrew or Judaism possible.
Since the fall of the USSR and the huge exodus of Jews from Russia and its neighboring countries, the Jewish Agency and other Israeli or Zionistic organizations were able to work freely. Summer camps for Jewish youth take place each year, aliyah is promoted and so are participation in programs in Israel such as Birthright Israel and Masa.
Yet the fact that Russia’s Ministry of Justice is demanding the Jewish Agency to stop its activity in Russia - as exposed by The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday, is a gamechanger.