Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, warns of ‘dark clouds on the horizon’ for Russian Jews

Moscow’s former chief rabbi now living in exile in Israel warns of “dark clouds on the horizon” for Russian Jews, as ties between the two countries deteriorate over the Ukraine war.

Pinchas Goldschmidt, who left Russia in March over opposition to the conflict, tells reporters that “the Jewish community was pressured… to openly support the war. Our community did not support the war.”

“The situation is worrying” and there are “many dark clouds on the horizon” for Russian Jews, he says, adding that their “security and future… is dependent on Israel-Russia relations.”

He says Moscow’s moves against the Jewish Agency, among other incidents, has fostered “fear of rising antisemitism” causing tens of thousands to flee to Israel since the start of the war.