From one war to another. For almost thirty years, Pinchas Goldschmidt led the Jewish community in Russia as Chief Rabbi of Moscow, before leaving the country in March 2022. Forced by those in power to take a stand in favor of the “special operation” in Ukraine , the man of faith preferred the route of exile, calling on all Jews in Russia to follow his example “as long as they can”.
Today president of the Conference of European Rabbis, Pinchas Goldschmidt witnesses, dismayed, the outbreak of anti-Semitic acts in the world, caused by the Hamas attack against Israel on October 7 and the war in the Gaza Strip. Latest chilling illustration of this phenomenon: the attack on the airport of Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, by hundreds of rioters looking for passengers from Israel, on October 29. In the Russian Caucasus, with a Muslim majority, the Jewish community now knows itself to be at the mercy of raging anti-Semitism.
L’Express: On Sunday, a crowd of rioters invaded an airport in Dagestan looking for Israelis and Jews to attack. How do you react to these terrifying images?
Pinchas Goldschmidt: In the semi-totalitarian society that Russia has become, the population awaits signs from the top of the state. Previously, the Kremlin’s message was to reject anti-Semitism and it came from the grassroots, directly from the population. But last week – after the massacres committed on October 7 – a Hamas delegation was received with honors by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow.
Then, during a meeting with spiritual leaders, President Putin refused to condemn the Hamas attack. Of course, he calls for brotherhood between different religious and ethnic communities in Russia, but this episode gave the impression to Dagestan’s leaders that official policy had changed and that it was now time to attack the Jews.
In your opinion, Vladimir Putin and the Russian authorities therefore have direct responsibility for these attacks?
In Russia, everything is under control. At the slightest demonstration against the war, the protesters found themselves arrested in the second. How is it that in five different cities in Dagestan and surrounding regions these kinds of events can happen?
Hundreds of Jewish families live in Dagestan. Are they in danger?
The good news is that they can leave, and I hope they do so as soon as possible. According to our information, the Kremlin asked to quell the riots and arrest these people. So there has been an official reaction and we hope this will be the last of these events.
Is there a specific problem of anti-Semitism in Dagestan?
Dagestan, neighboring Azerbaijan, is a Muslim republic, and Jews have lived there for more than 1,000 years. These are very old Jewish communities and, generally speaking, they have until now not suffered anti-Semitism from their neighbors. The difference is that before, there was a difference between anti-Zionists, anti-Israel, and anti-Semites. These ideas converge and mix both in Russia but also in Europe and all over the world.
Jewish communities seem to be targeted everywhere due to the war between Israel and Hamas…
Anti-Semites do not distinguish between an Israeli, a Zionist and a Jew.
How to combat this phenomenon?
It seems to me that there was, previously, a greater desire to combat anti-Semitism at university, in society and in the laws. We must evolve our definition of anti-Semitism.
It must expand. For example, if you participate in a pro-Hamas demonstration, therefore in support of a massacre, and you carry a sign asking to throw the Star of David in the trash, this is clearly anti-Semitism and not only a political slogan against Israel.
In France, the authorities have banned pro-Palestinian demonstrations, among others for these reasons. Is this the right path to follow?
Quite. We are in contact with the European authorities, in particular the interior ministries, to deal with these problems in a resolute manner. It is not just the Jewish community that is in danger. During the next elections, whether at national level or for Europeans, the far right will use this kind of behavior to assert that the current European political elites are not capable of handling this problem. These political parties will say: “we will bring order and law to the streets”. European values are at stake.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russian authorities have used anti-Semitic rhetoric to justify their invasion. Now, Vladimir Putin refuses to condemn Hamas, which can send a delegation to its soil. Is Russia returning to its official Soviet-era policies, with state anti-Semitism?
Every day we watch Russia return to its Soviet model. Last week, when President Putin received religious leaders in the Kremlin, he spoke of a Russian policy in the Middle East as a continuation of Soviet policy in the region. It was the first time I heard him say that.
Does this mean that times are even more dangerous for the Jewish community in Russia? Last year, you already called on all Jews to leave Russia “while they can”…
Yes, Russia has isolated itself and is in an axis with Tehran and North Korea. Russia has become a client of Iran and receives its weapons to fight Ukraine. The danger for the Jewish community in Russia continues to increase, particularly due to the deterioration of relations between Moscow and Israel.
What role can the Israeli government play in this situation?
Israel is trying to preserve a working relationship with Russia. But it gets more difficult every day.
Since the Hamas attack on October 7, attacks against the Jewish community have exploded around the world, including in France. Do you remember such a wave of anti-Semitic acts?
No, I’ve never seen anything like this. The anti-Semites are out of the woods. All over the world, groups claim to want to destroy the Jewish community. We call on all governments to address this anti-Semitic threat and ensure that everyone, including Jews, can walk safely on the streets.
As a man of faith, what advice do you give during these troubled times?
Stay united, talk to your friends and above all don’t be afraid. And also, pray.