Feb 4th, 2005

CPC CONDEMNS ANTI-SEMITIC STATEMENT IN RUSSIA

Central Executive Committee, Communist Party of Canada, Feb. 5, 2005

Sharp protests have been issued inside Russia and around the world after an anti-Jewish public statement signed by leading public figures and State Duma members was circulated in January. The statement included calls for an investigation into the activities of Jewish organizations in Russia, and even for legislation banning such groups. The statement was soon withdrawn, and some of those whose names were attached have denied signing the document. There are also indications that the Putin government may have had some role in creating this incident with the aim of weakening public protests against its social cutbacks.

In the view of the Communist Party of Canada, this case is a worrisome signal that anti-Semitism and xenophobia remain significant problems in Russia, fanned by the very forces which overthrew socialism and aim for the complete restoration of capitalism. We condemn this dangerous statement, and we particularly deplore the actions of a few Communist deputies who signed the document. Their dirty actions tarnish the heroic sacrifices of millions of Soviet people who gave their lives in the struggle to defeat Hitler fascism and its racist ideology.

This is not the first time that such ideas have been expressed by members of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF). In 1998, our party sent a letter of protest to the KPRF over the racist and anti-Semitic comments of communist deputy Albert Makashov. We reiterate our position that anti-Jewish and xenophobic views have no place in the communist movement, which has always stood for the international unity of all workers.

While we do not wish to interfere in the internal affairs of other communist parties, this action has done considerable damage to the international communist movement. We call upon the KPRF leadership to clarify its position, by issuing an unequivocal condemnation of anti-Semitism as an ideology hostile to Marxism-Leninism, and to renounce all manifestations of anti-Semitism in its ranks.

Finally, we warn against any attempts to confuse this issue by claiming that anti-Jewish slanders are compatible with the struggle against the racist, expansionist, extreme nationalist ideology of Zionism. Such "blurring" gives cover to ultra-right and neo-Nazi forces which seek to divide the working class movement by scapegoating Jews, immigrants, and other minorities, diverting attention away from the real enemies of working people - transnational capital and imperialism. There can be no place in the Communist movement for anti-Semitism and other racist views.

© 2005 Communist Party of Canada