Israel mourned Boris Yeltsin. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s
office issued a statement of condolence Wednesday on the passing of the
former Russian president.
“During the late President Yeltsin’s term in
office, the gates were opened for Jews from the former USSR to immigrate to
Israel. His relationship with the Russian Jewish community enabled Jewish
life to flourish,” the statement said. “Under the late President
Yeltsin’s leadership, Russian-Israeli relations developed apace. He
accepted the credentials of Israel’s first ambassador to Russia.”
