The Russian government has extended full accreditation to the Jewish Agency, giving it the status of an independent organization that can operate freely and legally throughout Russia, the agency announced here Wednesday.
The new status was conferred on the basis of an agreement reached between Jewish Agency Chairman Simcha Dinitz and Russian Vice President Alexander Rutskoi in Moscow last week. It was formalized at ceremonies in Moscow attended by Russian senior officials, including the deputy minister of justice, and representatives of the Jewish Agency’s delegation in Russia.
Until now, the Jewish Agency had no legal standing in Russia and had to operate through intermediaries.
In practical terms, accreditation means simpler procedures to negotiate contracts with local bodies for the transportation of immigrants and their luggage to Israel.
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