Israeli-Russians warned against military draft in Russia

By Abdel Raouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israel on Friday warned Israelis holding Russian citizenship against drafting in the Russian army amid the Ukraine war.

A Foreign Ministry statement said Israeli-Russian dual citizens who are in Russia or planning to enter the country are subject to Russian laws, including new troops mobilization laws announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin last week.

The ministry warned that Tel Aviv will not be able to ensure the possibility of exiting dual citizens from Russia following entry.

The warning came shortly after Putin announced the annexation of four Ukrainian regions into Russia.

According to public broadcaster KAN, there are tens of thousands of Israelis holding Russian citizenship.

The Israeli government earlier expected a rise in the number of Jewish immigrants from Russia following Putin’s mobilization order for the Ukraine war.

Estimates put the number of Jews in Russia at over 165,000.

* Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report