mercredi 21 février 2007

Note Taking IX - Xenophobia in Russia Caused by Recent Events

Ephross, Peter. “Anti-Semitic Tide Rising in Russia.” Canadian Jewish News 29, 50 (1999): 29. 21 Feb. 2007 <
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=16&did=385222871&SrchMode=1&sid=13&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1170111555&clientId=9268>.

Summary:

Article about current events that contribute to a rise of anti-Semitism, xenophobia and strong nationalist sentiment.

Pieces of information:

- NATO’s involvement in Kosovo affected anti-Western sentiment. Russia has always been very protective of its little brother Serbia. Some Russians even went to fight NATOs along Milosevic’s troops. There is a resurgence of strong nationalism
- The situation in Chechnya also contributed to a rise of xenophobia which affects the Jewish community as well. “Dark-skinned” people are targeted in Moscow’s capital.
- It is very recurrent in former communist state to use nationalist sentiment to gain political support.
- Underlines problems in Russia regarding freedom of religion. Jehova’s witnesses are mainly targeted by local bureau.

Quotations:

“Observers say the war in Chechnya has contributed to the high level of ethnic slurs in the current election campaign, including a slur by the Nobel Prize-winning author Alexander Solzhenitsyn, who referred to the alleged control of Russian politics by Jewish bankers.”

“Even more mainstream candidates are sending a strong nationalist message, which historically in Russia has often translated into anti-Semitism.”
“[…] referring to the Russian Duma’s failure earlier this year to condemn Gen. Albert Makashov, a Communist legislator who made several public anti-Semitic comments.”

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