ABSTRACT
The Soviet Union, which has the third largest Jewish population in the world, has come to be perceived by many as the most antisemitic country in the world, aside from some Arab states. This chapter traces the development of official Soviet attitudes toward both antisemitism and Zionism and attempts to explain their evolution. It can be shown that there is no single, monolithic Soviet opinion on the linkage between Zionism and Jews or Judaism, although in recent years the bulk of Soviet publications have indeed blurred the distinction between Jews and Zionists, and, in effect, attacked both with great ferocity. The chapter explores that whatever may be the intent of the Soviet authorities, the effects of their propaganda and their policies are quite clear: There is convincing empirical evidence that Soviet Jews perceive governmental and popular attitudes as antisemitic.
