Russia has come for the property of repatriates already in Israel: 22 cases, 70 million shekels, and a question for the Ministry of Justice

Russian entities are attempting to use Israeli courts to gain access to the property of 22 repatriates worth about 70 million shekels. The strangest part of this story: Israeli law already has a provision allowing for refusal of such cooperation.

On September 2, 2026, a question surfaced in Israel that had not been publicly discussed much before: Russian entities are conducting 22 proceedings here against Jews who repatriated from Russia and obtained Israeli citizenship. This is no longer about accounts or property left in Moscow. Russian managers are trying to gain access to these individuals' assets within Israel. The total value of the disputed property is estimated at a minimum of 2 billion rubles — about 70 million shekels.

I, Alexander Khmelnitsky, while analyzing this story for NANovosti, specifically checked that Israeli law does not require the court to automatically accept any Russian proceeding: Article 316 allows for refusal of recognition if it contradicts public order, is associated with fraud, or if the person did not actually have the opportunity to defend themselves.
Ynet's investigation from September 2, 2026 describes a scheme through cross-border bankruptcy…

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nikk.agency/en/russia-has-come…