Russia Targets Jewish Oligarchs in Israel Through Legal Maneuvers

Russian authorities have initiated 22 legal proceedings in Israel against Jewish individuals who immigrated from Russia, aiming to seize assets valued at approximately 2 billion rubles (about $70 million USD). These actions leverage a 2018 agreement between Israel and Russia that allows for the recognition of Russian legal judgments, particularly bankruptcy declarations, under Israel's insolvency law. Critics argue that Israeli courts are acting as a rubber stamp for these Russian judgments, often without substantive review, unlike Western nations that have ceased cooperation with Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Among the prominent figures targeted is Boris Spiegel, a former Russian senator and businessman, who was convicted in Russia for bribery and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Spiegel claims the charges were fabricated to seize his assets. Russia has already confiscated his Russian holdings, estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Now, Russian authorities are seeking to seize his family villa in Savyon, Israel, as part of a claim exceeding 7 million shekels, based on his Russian bankruptcy declaration.

Spiegel's legal team contends that "draconian" measures have been imposed on him, prohibiting any disposition of his assets in Israel. They are appealing to the Israeli Ministry of Justice to suspend the application of the law against Russian immigrants and are preparing a petition to the High Court of Justice. Spiegel stated that Israel has abandoned them and is cooperating with Russia's persecution, which he believes is motivated by their Jewish identity.

Another individual, Eduard Kabakov, who immigrated from Russia, faces a lawsuit in Israel for approximately $9 million, stemming from a Russian state insurance company claim. Kabakov asserts the original documents contained a forged signature and that the Russian case was dismissed after he proved this, yet the parallel Israeli proceeding to seize his apartment continues.

Sources indicate that Israel is the only Western country cooperating with such Russian legal actions. Russia reportedly uses these mechanisms to financially ruin individuals it targets, and there are concerns that successful seizures in Israel could be used as a precedent in Europe. The Russian Embassy and the Israeli Ministry of Justice have not responded to requests for comment.