[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 126 (Friday, September 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1958-E1959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONTINUING THREATS TO THE RUSSIAN JEWISH COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 24, 1999

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues are aware, for 
the past year or so, the Jewish community of Russia has been subjected 
to anti-Semitic threats and violence. And this is not just from 
marginalized, thuggish elements on the streets; even elected officials 
in Russia have resorted to anti-Semitic slurs and threats.
  Amid the latest explosions in Moscow, it is all the more remarkable 
that no Jewish institutions were attacked in Russia during the Jewish 
New Year celebration of Rosh Hashanah. Responding to the concerns of 
the Russian and American Jewish communities, as well as the U.S. 
Government and Members of Congress, the Russian authorities provided 
adequate protection for the synagogues, at least in the capital city, 
Moscow. The federal government of Russia and Moscow's city government 
deserve credit for this protection of their citizens. Monday's Yom 
Kippur celebration also passed without incident, and authorities would 
also be well advised to ensure that future holiday observances are 
accompanied by a visible and comprehensive police presence.
  In the past several weeks, a Jewish community leader was violently 
attacked inside the Moscow Choral Synagogue, and explosives or false 
bomb threats have been uncovered in synagogues as well. In addition to 
synagogues, schools and other institutions are also at risk. The school 
year has now begun, and elderly Jews will again turn to social services 
institutions with the approach of winter. Russian authorities should be 
encouraged to continue protecting Jewish facilities, as well as 
seriously investigating and prosecuting those guilty of crimes against 
Jews. In addition, Russian officials should speak out frequently and 
publicly against those who would--either through word or deed--tear at 
the fabric of tolerance in Russia. To his credit, President Yeltsin has 
denounced ``disgusting acts of anti-Semitism'' in Russia, and in a 
telegram to the Chief Rabbi of Russia, His Holiness Patriarch Alexei II 
condemned the attack in the Moscow Choral Synagogue. Hopefully, these 
statements against violence and for tolerance

[[Page E1959]]

will be emulated by responsible Russian leaders throughout Russia.
  As much as permitting the free exercise of religion is a duty of any 
government, so is the protection of those exercising that right. As we 
Americans have unfortunately witnessed in our own country in recent 
months, our Nation is not immune to anti-Semitic violence. Law 
enforcement cannot completely guarantee against infringement of these 
rights, but we have demonstrated what I believe is an appropriate model 
of community and official response. For instance, when synagogues in 
California were bombed earlier this year, the California State 
Legislature condemned the attacks, and the alleged perpetrators are now 
in custody.
  The police protection of synagogues throughout Moscow, along with 
President Boris Yeltsin's strong message of support to the Jewish 
community on the eve of the Jewish High Holy Days, represent a 
commendable Russian step in that same direction. Effective security 
measures should continue as long as the Jewish community is under 
threat, but we hope that ultimately such measures will no longer be 
necessary in a stable, democratic Russia.

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