Jews in Riga 1956-1970's file / תיק – יהודים בריגה 1956-1970

These documents present Pungent criticism On Israeli policy towards Soviet Jewry In the late 1960s, focusing on the failures of theinstitutionThe authors claim that Israel is acting out of a lack of understanding of Soviet reality and is relying excessively on Western propaganda methods which are ineffective in the East. The texts emphasize the need to strengthen theJewish national identity And in a significant improvement in the quality of broadcasts on the radio station "Voice of Israel"An action plan is proposed here that includes a requirement forFreedom of immigration Along with guaranteeing cultural rights to Jews who choose to remain in Russia. In conclusion, the sources call for abandoning the hesitant diplomatic approach in favor of An open and determined struggle For the release of the prisoners of Zion and their return to their homeland.

The documents before us present an in-depth and critical analysis of the situation of the Jews of the Soviet Union in the late 1960s, focusing on the failure of Israeli propaganda and the need for a strategic change on the part of the Mossad and the Israeli government (H50-1-1f, H50-1-04f). The sources indicate that the Mossad operates out of a lack of understanding of the Soviet reality, being "hypnotized" by Western working methods that are irrelevant to the Jews behind the Iron Curtain (H50-1-04f).

The situation in the Soviet Union and national awakening

According to the sources, there is a clash between the cosmopolitanism imposed on the Jewish intelligentsia and the budding Jewish nationalism among the younger generation (H50-1-10f). It is argued that Israel's wars (1948, 1956, 1967) and the capture of Eichmann were turning points in this identity (H50-1-10f). However, there is a serious problem of assimilation and intermarriage, stemming in part from the mistaken belief that the offspring of such marriages will be more socially "healthy" (H50-1-10f).

Criticism of the information and broadcasts of "Kol Israel"

Much of the criticism is directed at the Russian-language radio station "Kol Yisrael." It is claimed that the broadcasts are boring, unprofessional, and unable to compete with Soviet propaganda or foreign stations such as the BBC and "Voice of America" ​​(H50-1-26f, H50-1-29f). The sources suggest changing the broadcast schedule, adding content on Jewish culture, Hebrew studies, and even Israeli music to attract the younger audience (H50-1-29f). In addition, it was revealed that the Soviet authorities invest enormous resources in disrupting these broadcasts, which indicates their fear of Zionist influence (H50-1-31f).

The problems with the broadcasts "Voice of Israel" in Russian In the late 1960s, they were multidimensional, and included serious technical failures, poor content, and sharp criticism of the human and managerial structure that operated the channel (H50-1-26f, H50-1-29f, H50-1-36f).

The main problems with "Kol Israel" broadcasts in Russian

• Professional level and "gray" content: The broadcasts were described asBoring, talentless and "gray" (H50-1-26f). It was claimed that the programs were "tavetology" (repetition) and of a very low journalistic standard, which caused Jewish listeners in the Soviet Union to turn off the receiver or prefer foreign stations such as the BBC (H50-1-31f, H50-1-36f, H50-1-40f).
• Censorship by the Mossad: The sources indicate that "Despotic" political and internal censorship On the part of the Mossad, which prevented the broadcasting of vital information about the situation of the Jews (H50-1-36f). The team operated under constant fear and self-censorship, which prevented them from inviting new immigrants to the broadcast or responding sharply to Soviet propaganda (H50-1-36f, H50-1-37f).
• Technical failures and frequencies: Most radio receivers in the Soviet Union did not support the 33.3-meter frequency on which the station was broadcast, making it inaccessible to the majority of the audience (H50-1-32f). The transmission power was The weakest of the government stations The broadcast was in Russian, and it suffered from heavy jamming by the Soviet authorities (H50-1-29f, H50-1-31f).
• Broadcast schedule not relevant: Broadcast times were adjusted to Israeli time rather than Moscow time, and valuable content was wasted on jazz music or unnecessary weather reports instead of Hebrew studies, Jewish culture, and Zionist outreach (H50-1-29f, H50-1-41f).>
• Poor professional level: The broadcasts were described as **"gray", boring and lacking in talent** (H50-1-26f, H50-1f). It was claimed that the announcers read texts like "parrots" without understanding their content, and that the programs suffered from a repetitiveness (taevatology) that made it impossible to compete with the skillful Soviet propaganda or Western stations such as the BBC (H50-1-26f, H50-1f).
• "Despotic" censorship: The Mossad imposed strict political censorship on the content, preventing the broadcasting of true information about the situation of the Jews (H50-1f). The employees operated under constant fear, which resulted in the emasculation of creativity and free journalism at the station (H50-1f).
• The channel was operated by a team that was criticized for its amateurishness. Some of the employees were "Pensioners-Pioneers" who worked voluntarily or people who saw at work "gig" Only (H50-1f)

Expansion of important sources

• H50-1-12f: This source is critical to understanding the demographic-political analysis of Soviet Jewry at that time. It divides the 3.5 million Jews into categories according to their chances of emigration and their ideological position: from active "Zionists" to groups influenced by figures like Solzhenitsyn or Gomulka.
• H50-1-31f: This source provides a fascinating glimpse into the psychological and technological warfare surrounding information. It details how the Soviet Union disrupted foreign radio broadcasts and highlights the importance of "Kol Yisrael" as the only window into the "cage," despite its technical limitations.
• H50-1-04f: This document forms the core of the strategic critique of the Mossad. It argues that instead of investing in protests in the West, Israel should invest directly in the Jews of the Soviet Union, who are "Israel's only support" in the region.

List of sources

• H50-1-1f : Introduction and general criticism of the Mossad's activities and Israel's goals regarding Jewry in the Soviet Union.
• H50-1-04f : Analysis of the need for internal influence on the Jews of the Soviet Union and criticism of the Mossad's lack of understanding.
• H50-1-10f : A discussion of Jewish nationalism, cosmopolitanism, intermarriage, and the influence of historical events.
• H50-1-12f : Statistical data and division of Jews in the USSR into categories according to conditions of departure and national status.
• H50-1-21f : Details on key figures, diplomatic activity, and the impact of Soviet oppression on individuals.
• H50-1-26f : Professional criticism of Zionist propaganda, "Kol Israel" and comparison to Soviet propaganda.
• H50-1-29f : Technical recommendations and plans for improving radio broadcasts in Russian.
• H50-1-31f : A review of Soviet radio jamming and the struggle for freedom of information.
• H50-1-60f : The three conditions for Israel-USSR relations and a discussion on cultural and religious freedom.
• H50-1-61f : Analysis of the physical and moral assistance required for Jews in the USSR and the connection with Poland.
• H50-1-79f : Continuing the discussion on physical aid and the history of the national struggle in the USSR.

 

– H50-1f

– H50-1-1f

– H50-1-04f

– H50-1-10f

– H50-1-12f

– H50-1-21f

– H50-1-26f

– H50-1-29f

– H50-1-31f

– H50-1-60f

– H50-1-61f

– H50-1-79f

** end of Jews in Riga 1956-1970 files **

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