Mikhail Fedotov
The statements of Vice-speaker of the state Duma Peter Tolstoy about St. Isaac’s Cathedral repeated theses of anti-Semites. This was stated by “Interfax” the Chairman of the Council on human rights under the President of Russia Mikhail Fedotov.
“It is strange to hear from a respected parliamentarian saying that repeats a favorite argument of anti-Semites that 17 revolution did the Jews,” — said the head of the HRC.
“The shameful anti-Semitism is the same disease as syphilis, in polite society to hide it, not flaunt it,” — he stressed.
23 Jan Tolstoy participated in a press conference on the changing status of the St. Petersburg Cathedral. “People who are the grandchildren of those who demolished our temples, jumped up from the pale of settlement with a revolver in the 17th year today, working in a variety of other very reputable places — on the radio, in the legislative assemblies, continue the work of their grandfathers and great-grandfathers”, — said United Russia.
Speaker of the state Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, commenting on the situation, noted that the pale in the Russian Empire spread including convicts. Tolstoy himself said he did not mean any nationality, commenting on the transfer of the Cathedral.
Statements of Tolstoy denounced by the President of the Federation of Jewish communities of Russia Alexander Boroda, and historian and journalist Nikolai Svanidze.