The court in Moscow will resume today (Monday) the discussion on the activity of the Jewish Agency in Russia.
As a reminder, the local Ministry of Justice submitted a request to close the Jewish Agency for "illegal information collection on Russian citizens", and the first legal hearing, held on August 19, ended in a one-month postponement, which was intended to allow the agency's attorneys to study the material.
In Jerusalem, they hoped that the postponement would enable a solution to the problem to be reached at the diplomatic level, but a political source who spoke to Israel Hayom said that such a solution has not yet been reached.
Currently, there is uncertainty regarding the expected decision, which could range from the rejection of the Russian Ministry of Justice's request, through another delay in the legal process, to the immediate closure of the agency's activities in Russia.
"There are reasons for optimism as opposed to reasons for pessimism," said the political official.
"On the one hand, the fact that the Russians have not yet shut down the agency's activities, even though they could have done so, is a positive indication. Currently, the activity continues as usual, considering the limitations resulting from the special situation in Russia, which is not a matter of course. Also, the Russians continue to insist that it is In a legal-technical matter only, and if this is indeed the case - there may be solutions to the problem.
"On the other hand, we are concerned because as Russia's situation in the war with Ukraine worsens, the government in Moscow is adopting tougher patterns in domestic policy, and may fear being seen as a party that is bowing down to parties affiliated with the West. Some of the parties familiar with the matter believe that another delay in the legal process is the likely scenario, however These assessments are based mainly on feelings and not on solid information."
Trying to achieve a diplomatic solution. Lapid, photo: Gideon Markovich
significant consequences
Closing the agency's activity in Russia can also be done in two ways, each of which has different meanings.
In the strictest scenario, the court will disqualify the activity itself, and will not allow it to be renewed even under a different name.
On the other hand, it is possible that the judge will only order the closure of the "Ano" association - a local Russian association that consolidates the agency's activities in Russia - and then it will be possible to resume the activity under a new association, which will meet the requirements of Russian law.
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid made it clear at the outbreak of the crisis that the closure of the agency's activities in Russia would have significant consequences for the relations between the countries. According to his orders, a team was established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formulate response measures for each of the possible scenarios. Lapid, as well as President Herzog, are involved in trying to find a solution Diplomatic for the crisis.
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