In March, a demonstrator in Tel Aviv protests the invasion of Ukraine with a sign that pastes Hitler’s mustache on Putin’s face.

Putin Turns on the Jews

The Kremlin is both increasingly anti-Semitic and intent on staunching the brain drain to Israel and the West

By Andrew Ryvkin

As Russian rulers go, Vladimir Putin was for a long time remarkably un-anti-Semitic. He mingled with Jewish community leaders, lit Hanukkah candles, and, in 2007, the Russian leader even donated a month’s salary toward the construction of the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center in Moscow—a Ralph Appelbaum–designed venue showcasing the history of the Russian Jews.

Putin spent his childhood with Jewish friends whom he credited with keeping him out of trouble; and he’s always spoken favorably of the Jewish community.