Russian Jews mark 50th anniversary of killing of anti-fascists

MOSCOW -- Marking the 50th anniversary of one of the last spasms of Stalinist terror, Jews gathered in a Moscow synagogue Monday to reflect on the improvement of their condition in Russia, yet warn that anti-Semitism still exists.

The ceremony commemorated the 1952 execution of 13 members of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee in the basement of Lubyanka.

Although the number of victims was tiny compared to the millions estimated to have died under dictator Josef Stalin, the killings are seen as a shocking demonstration of how the system had become debased by paranoia.

The committee had been an important propaganda tool for Stalin, but later, Stalin began to see the group as a threat, and members were arrested and tried in secret.

Israeli Ambassador Nathan Meron chose to reflect on how Russia now has close relations with Israel.

"It is very sad that (committee members) were not living to see ... the establishment of diplomatic relations between the state of Israel and the new Russia," Meron said.

Some speakers noted anti-Semitism in Russia, drawing attention to the appearance of anti-Semitic flyers at shelters.

Yevgeniya Albats, a prominent journalist, said Russia's Jews must fight against such prejudice, saying previous oppressions were encouraged by Jews' failure to fight back.