November 23, 2005
The Russian Interior Ministry has said that Moscow’s chief rabbi will not be allowed to return to Russia forthe moment. In a letter publicized on Tuesday, the ministry said that Pinchas Goldschmidt would not be allowed to return to Russia, citing an article in Russian legislation that prevents foreigners who are deemed threats to Russian national security from entering the country. Two months ago, Goldschmidt, a Swiss national who’s been leading Moscow’s central synagogue for nearly 15 years, was denied re-entry to Russia and had his visa annulled at a Moscow airport. Until this week, authorities had not explained their reasons for the move. There was strong criticism from Jewish and human rights groups. Rabbi Goldschmidt’s situation “may have to do with attempts to regulate the activities of religious organizations, particularly of foreign missionaries. But whatever the reason, this is absolutely outrageous. The man has worked here for 15 years, he has many followers. He definitely cannot be a threat to Russian national security,” said Mikhail Chlenov, secretary-general of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress.
