Russia has granted an Israeli request to postpone a court hearing that could potentially see the closure of Jewish Agency offices in the country by a month, a sign Israeli officials view as positive, Israel Hayom has learned.
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"We asked to postpone in order to modify the activities of the Anu association, which consolidates the agency's activities in Russia, so that it would conform to the local law," a political source involved in the matter said, adding that Russia's response might be an "indication that they are open to the idea of the agency continuing its activities in the country".
Although for months Israel stipulated that Russia's actions stemmed from its support for Ukraine, the official said that Moscow has closed dozens, if not hundreds, of civil society organizations affiliated with the West.
"Apparently, the Kremlin issued a sweeping directive on the matter, and its executives believed that it also applied to the Jewish Agency – without understanding the unique nature of its activity and its extraordinary importance to Israel. The current conduct of the Russians could indicate it's trying to correct the mistake without admitting it," he said.
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