Rabbi Benjamin Wolf from Aqyar (Sevastopol) called on Jews from Western Europe to relocate to occupied Crimea, promising them “a peaceful life and fair wages.” He published the appeal on his page on the Russian social network VKontakte.
This was reported by the Crimean Tatar Resource Center.
Rabbi Wolf claims that Russia has become a "comfortable place for Jews," specifically highlighting Sevastopol as "a city where Jewish traditions are respected." He has lived in Crimea for over 20 years but notes that only in the last decade, following the onset of Russian occupation, has he felt a greater respect from authorities for the Jewish community. He stated that "any manifestations of anti-Semitism are severely punished," and that in Sevastopol, Jewish holidays can be celebrated peacefully in the city center.
"Today, Russia is becoming a comfortable place for Jews. In particular, the city of Sevastopol, where I have lived for over 20 years. In the past 10 years, I have become convinced that the Russian authorities treat Jews with respect. Here, I, Rabbi Wolf, feel comfortable and safe," he wrote.
The rabbi also mentioned that he met with Mikhail Razvozhayev, the so-called governor of Aqyar (Sevastopol), and proposed attracting Jewish investors to the city. According to Wolf, the Russian official supported this initiative and expressed his willingness to collaborate on new projects.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Center underscores that such statements are part of the Russian Federation's systematic policy to change the population on the occupied peninsula. Russia is consistently implementing strategies to alter Crimea’s demographic composition by resettling Russian citizens there and encouraging migration from other countries.