The Russian-speaking Jewish diaspora
Political attitudes and political influence
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
During the past 50 years, over two million Jews have emigrated from the Soviet Union and its successor states. In almost all countries that they have made their new home, the majority of them vote for right-wing liberal, conservative and nationalist conservative parties. However, their degree of political influence is low: only in the USA can their votes tip the scales with extremely tight election outcomes. The situation in Israel is different, where this group plays an important role in politics. Avigdor Lieberman’s party Yisrael Beitenu, the core electorate of which is the Russian-speaking population in Israel, also represents their interests and views, and focuses on issues that are of importance for all of Israeli society. For this reason, the other parties are also keen to win the support of this group of voters.
(Osteuropa 9-11/2019, pp. 123–132)