Federation Council speaker says there's no more anti-Semitism or xenophobia in Russia

Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko declared on Monday that there is no anti-Semitism or xenophobia in Russia today, crediting the government’s crackdown on extremism and hate speech. Speaking at a conference in Moscow dedicated to countering anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and racism, Matviyenko warned that anti-Semitism has “activated” in Europe and other countries “that position themselves as a model for civilization, democracy, respect for human rights, and freedom.”

At the same conference, Russian Jewish Congress President Yuri Kanner announced that anti-Semitism is at an all-time low in Eastern Europe today. “This is especially clear against the background of the tragic events that occurred on Saturday at a synagogue in Pittsburgh in the United States,” Kanner said.

On Saturday, October 27, a gunman killed 11 worshippers in a Pittsburgh synagogue in the deadliest attack ever on Jews in the United States. Suspect Robert Bowers targeted Jews online and made anti-Semitic comments during the shooting. Now in police custody, he faces 29 federal charges, including crimes punishable by death.