The ADC has expressed its shock and dismay at statements made by Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a TV interview, that Jews and other minorities could be responsible for the interference in the 2016 U.S. elections. When asked about the meddling, he said, “Maybe they’re not even Russians. Maybe they are Ukrainians, Tatars, Jews, just with Russian citizenship. Even that needs to be checked. Maybe they have dual citizenship. Or maybe a green card. Maybe it was the Americans who paid them for this work. How do you know? I don’t know.”
ADC Chairman, Dr Dvir Abramovich, issued the following statement:
“It is deeply troubling beggars that the leader of such an important country would resort to the age-old anti-Semitic playbook and scapegoat the Jews, thereby resurrecting dangerous stereotypes that for too long led to violence and murder against the Jewish community. It is no wonder that many are finding echoes of the notorious Protocols of the Elders of Zion in his strange remarks. It is our strong hope that President Putin withdraws these damaging and outrageous accusations before Russian-Jews suffer the consequences of such hateful incitement. If he does not do so quickly, we urge world leaders, including Prime Minister Turnbull, to denounce such repulsive rhetoric.”