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Olmert : Russia's Jews should 'pack their bags'

Updated: 22/Oct/2006 10:05

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (R) and Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar during a meeting in the Jewish Center in Moscow, 19 October 2006.

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MOSCOW (EJP)--- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has called on Russia's Jews to "pack their bags" and move to Israel, during a meeting with Jewish community leaders on Thursday in Moscow.

"Pack your bags, come home, we will all live together in Israel," Olmert said during ceremonies at the synagogue and community centre at Marina Roshcha in Moscow, marking 15 years since Russia and Israel restored diplomatic relations.

Russia has one of the biggest Jewish populations in the world.

"There are problems, sometimes there are wars, sometimes it's dangerous... but we will help you solve all these problems," Olmert said, referring to problems in Israel.

In his speech, Olmert expressed gratitude to President Vladimir Putin, whom he met on Wednesday, for the Russian leader's "warm embrace" of the Jewish community and ensuring its well-being.

It's impossible to imagine how Jewish life could have flourished without governmental support at all levels, he said during ceremonies at a Jewish communal center in Maryina Roshcha marking 15 years since Russia and Israel restored diplomatic relations.

Russia's chief rabbi Berel Lazar and Lev Levaiev, a diamond and property tycoon who has helped fund Russian Jewish groups, attended the ceremony in Moscow along with several hundred people.

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