Russia: Information on whether Boris Yeltsin's wife is Jewish
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1993 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | RUS14076 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Russia: Information on whether Boris Yeltsin's wife is Jewish, 1 May 1993, RUS14076, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aad888.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Reports indicate that opponents of Boris Yeltsin, in an apparent attempt to discredit him, have alleged that he has a Jewish wife (The Times 20 Feb. 1993; National Conference on Soviet Jewry 22 Apr. 1992; AP 11 June 1991). According to the Associated Press, however, during a television interview in 1991 Yeltsin indicated that his wife is of Cossack extraction (11 June 1991).
Additional and/or corroborating information on this topic is not currently available to the DIRB. It may be of interest to note, however, that according to Country Reports 1992, anti-government demonstrators have carried placards calling President Yeltsin a Jew (1993, 892). Further, an article in the Christian Science Monitor of 1 April 1992 indicates that placards calling Yeltsin a "friend of the Jews," among other things, are "common fare these days at Moscow demonstrations by communist and Russian nationalist opponents of the Russian government."
References
The Associated Press (AP). 11 June 1991. PM Cycle. Brian Friedman. "In Russian Election: Issues and Sharp Words." (NEXIS)
The Christian Science Monitor. 1 April 1992. Daniel Sneider. "Confronting the Resurgence of Anti-Semitism."
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1992. 1993. U.S. Department of State. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office.
National Conference on Soviet Jewry. 22 April 1992. Letter to "Interested Parties" from Gabriella Safran.
The Times. 20 February 1993. "Far Right Gives an Ancient Slav Hatred New Lease on Life." (NEXIS)
Attachments
The Associated Press (AP). 11 June 1991. PM Cycle. Brian Friedman. "In Russian Election: Issues and Sharp Words." (NEXIS)
National Conference on Soviet Jewry. 22 April 1992. Letter to "Interested Parties" from Gabriella Safran.
The Times. 20 February 1993. "Far Right Gives an Ancient Slav Hatred New Lease on Life." (NEXIS)