Russia Designates Prominent Figures and Media Outlets as 'Foreign Agents' and 'Undesirable Organizations'

Russia's Justice Ministry has declared Pinchas Goldschmidt, the former chief rabbi of Moscow, a "foreign agent" for allegedly disseminating false information about Russian government decisions and opposing the military operation in Ukraine. Goldschmidt, who left Russia at the beginning of the war, has called for Jews to leave the country, citing rising antisemitism and a return to a Soviet-like environment. The Justice Ministry's decision comes after a recommendation last year to consider the Jewish Agency as a foreign agent. Goldschmidt has urged the Jewish community to leave Russia "before it's too late."