Israel backs lifting Jackson-Vanik

Israel endorsed Russia’s graduation out of Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions.

“Israel supports Russia’s graduation from Jackson-Vanik,” a senior Israeli official told JTA this week. “The reasons Russia is included in Jackson Vanik are no longer relevant.”

The official made the comment in the wake of a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate earlier this week by a bipartisan slate of senators that would find Russia “in full compliance with the freedom of emigration requirements” of the law.

The original amendment, named for the late U.S. Sen. Henry Jackson (D-Wash.) and the late Rep. U.S. Rep. Charles Vanick (D-Ohio) was passed in the early 1970s—over the strident objections of the Nixon administration —at a time when the former Soviet Union was inhibiting Jewish emigration.

Russia wants the 1970s-era restrictions on trade lifted to facilitate its joining the World Trade Organization. The WTO invited Russia to join last November.

The repeal bill is also backed by NCSJ: Advocates on Behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia.

“Russia has satisfied the central requirement of the amendment’s intent: the right to emigrate,” NCSJ Chairman Richard Stone said in a statement. “Jews are able to decide to emigrate or to choose to remain in Russia, where they can practice Judaism and participate in Jewish culture without reservation.”

A number of human rights groups oppose lifting Jackson-Vanik, and legislation is under consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives that would sanction officials implicated in human rights abuse