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Last update - 00:00 20/03/2008
In Russia's third largest city, the blood libel is resurfacing
By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Anti-Semitism, Russia 

The blood libel is alive and well in certain circles in Russia. Dozens of posters have appeared of late in Russia's third largest city, warning residents to keep a close eye on their children as Passover approaches, lest they fall victim to Jews seeking to make matzah out of their blood.

The posters, adhered to the walls of houses in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, warn: "These vermin are still performing rituals, stealing small children and draining their blood to make their sacred bread."

They also link a recent spate of child disappearances and murders to Jewish ritual sacrifices.
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The blood libel claims that Jews use the blood of gentiles - particularly gentile children - to make ritual unleavened bread for Passover. It has been around for centuries, prevalent primarily in Europe where it was used to stir up violence and harsh reprisals against the Jewish community.

Amos Herman, Chairman of the Jewish Agency's branch responsible for fighting anti-Semitism stated that "We are certain that the government of Russia will find the perpetrators of this crime and solve this problem once and for all."

The Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia recently expressed concern about the rise in attacks targeting Jews, calling it part of "a recent surge in anti-Semitic manifestations" in Russia.

In 2007, 67 people were killed and more than 550 injured in ethnically motivated attacks, according the SOVA rights center, which monitors hate crimes.

According to varying estimates, between 300,000 and 1.5 million Jews live in the nation of 142 million. After an exodus in the years before and after 1991 Soviet collapse, the Jewish community is experiencing a moderate revival, with new synagogues, schools and cultural centers being built across the country.

During the Soviet era, thousands of Jews were imprisoned or executed as part of nationwide purges, and many more were forced to conceal their Jewish identity.

Resurgence of the blood libel

Last year, Professor Ariel Toaff of Bar-Ilan University ignited a storm of controversy when he published a book in Italy alleging that there is a factual basis for some of the medieval blood libels against the Jews.

Toaff stood by his findings published in the book "Pasque di Sangue", but said he was sorry his arguments had been twisted and later released a revised edition of the book that clarified that Jews were not involved in ritualized murder in medieval Europe.

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  • Bar-Ilan prof. defiant on blood libel book 'even if crucified'
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      1.   Blood libel- 21st century 14:20  |  Avrum 20/03/08
      2.   The problem about Nazis and Skinheads is, that they may 14:24  |  Andreas 20/03/08
      3.   Toaff`s Book 15:27  |  Mike 20/03/08
      4.   The Jew is again being singled out for critical attention through 16:00  |  D.S. 20/03/08
      5.   Know your anti-Semite: Henry Ford 16:03  |  Zalman X 20/03/08
      6.   I doubt that blood libel was ever gone. 17:43  |  Suzanne 20/03/08
      7.   Suzanne 18:34  |  Connie 20/03/08
      8.   Connie-Stand back and lets get real now :) 19:25  |  Reality 20/03/08
      9.   Russian government must react 19:32  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 20/03/08
      10.   Russian Jews are not is a safe place and they shoul leave 19:47  |  Daniel 20/03/08
      11.   @Connie 19:55  |  Suzanne 20/03/08
      12.   Passover 20:14  |  Zev 20/03/08
      13.   Definition of irony 20:21  |  al-kafir al-yahudi 20/03/08
      14.   FDA approval 20:22  |  al-kafir al-yahudi 20/03/08
      15.   The techonology to turn flesh to Matza -impossible! 00:07  |  d\a]] 21/03/08
      16.   The techonology to turn flesh to Matza -impossible! 00:07  |  d\a]] 21/03/08
      17.   The techonology to turn flesh to Matza -impossible! 00:07  |  d\a]] 21/03/08
      18.   gentile blood not Kosher for Passover 05:14  |  PK 22/03/08
      19.   Primitive Russians 02:21  |  sweis Melbourne 26/03/08
      20.   Happy (sic) Anniversary 18:11  |  Jehiel Chaleff 28/03/08
      21.   Blood 06:22  |  Down in the Basement 09/05/09
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