Jewish advocacy group denounces Putin for suggesting Jews behind election meddling

The American Jewish Committee is urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to “clarify” his comments suggesting that Russian minority groups, including Jews, could be behind efforts to meddle in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

“President Putin suggesting that Russian Federation minorities, be they Ukrainian, Tatar, or Jewish, were behind U.S. election meddling is eerily reminiscent of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” the Jewish group wrote on Twitter.

“He should clarify his comments at the earliest opportunity.”

President Putin suggesting that Russian Federation minorities, be they Ukrainian, Tatar, or Jewish, were behind U.S. election meddling is eerily reminiscent of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. He should clarify his comments at the earliest opportunity. https://t.co/NsG1qFSlWq

— AJC (@AJCGlobal) March 10, 2018

{mosads}

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion was a falsified document published in Russia in the early 20th century that claimed to outline a fabricated Jewish conspiracy for world domination.

Putin claimed in an interview with NBC News this week that whoever was responsible for a campaign to interfere in the U.S. presidential election was not aligned with the Kremlin, while suggesting that “Jews” and “Ukrainians” may have been responsible.

“Maybe they are not even Russians, but Ukrainians, Tatars or Jews, but with Russian citizenship, which should also be checked,” he said.

The U.S. intelligence community has concluded that the Russian government was behind an effort to meddle in the election, and special counsel Robert Mueller is examining Russia’s role in the matter, as well as whether the Trump campaign conspired with Moscow to sway the presidential race. 

Mueller charged 13 Russian nationals and three Russian groups last month for alleged election interference.

Putin has repeatedly denied that the Russian government was involved in efforts to disrupt the U.S. election.