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Former Chief Rabbi of Moscow Pinchas Goldschmidt gave an interview in which he urged members of the Jewish community to consider leaving Russia as soon as possible. He warned that Jews could become scapegoats for the hardships linked to Russia’s military operation in Ukraine and stressed that the increases in anti Jewish sentiment were alarming. He urged Russian Jews to seek safer environs across borders while the political climate remains unsettled.

Goldschmidt argued that when the political system faces danger, leadership tends to redirect national anger toward minority communities, including Jews. He described this pattern as a historical tool used to consolidate power during periods of national stress. His comments appeared amid ongoing concerns about the treatment and safety of Jewish residents in the country.

The Moscow Jewish Religious Organization MERO declined to comment on Goldschmidt’s appeal, noting that he no longer works for their organization and therefore cannot speak on his statements. Olga Esaulova, the press secretary for MERO, confirmed this stance, indicating that the organization has no official position to offer on the matter at this time.

On June 8, 2022, Goldschmidt left Russia. His family later revealed that he and his wife Dara decided to depart after feeling pressure from authorities to publicly support the special operation in Ukraine. Within weeks of the operation beginning, he traveled first to Hungary and then to Jerusalem, where his father was receiving medical care. The departure marked a significant turning point in the rabbi’s public involvement with Russian affairs and reflected broader concerns among Russian Jewish communities about safety and freedom of association. This sequence of events was reported by DEA News and subsequently discussed in various international outlets.