Antisemitic Yakov Malik: The Soviet Anti-Zionist Propaganda Campaign and UN Controversies
Yakov Malik: The Soviet Anti-Zionist Propaganda Campaign and UN Controversies
Yakov Malik’s diplomatic record on antisemitism represents a dark chapter in Cold War history, merging state anti-Zionism with anti-Jewish prejudice as a weapon to court Arab allies [Wien, 2024].
The 1965 UN Hijacking: Equating Zionism with Nazism
In 1965, during human rights drafting on racial discrimination, the US sought to add antisemitism, but the USSR proposed a separate article, embedding Zionism alongside Nazism and racial hatred [Wien, 2024]. This marked the first public state attempt to equate Zionism with Nazism for political advantage [Wien, 2024].
The 1971 Diatribe and International Backlash
In September 1971, Ambassador Malik launched personal attacks at the UN Security Council against Israeli representative Yosef Tekoah, telling him not to stick his "long nose" into the Soviet garden and calling the "chosen people" concept a racist theory [New York Times, 1971; Liebowitz, 1971; Herf, 2010]. This prompted strong formal protests from B'nai B'rith, the ADL, and congressional leaders denouncing the blatant slander and bigotry [New York Times, 1971; Liebowitz, 1971; JTA, 1971].
The Forgery Protocols Connection and Politburo Line
Framing the "chosen people" as racial superiority mirrors *The Protocols of the Elders of Zion* [Corey, 2013]. Malik’s public bigotry—echoing private, crude anti-Jewish stories—signified an approved shift in Soviet policy [Corey, 2013].
Thus:
It was this dangerous bigot who accused Israel of false "genocide," in 1976.
References
Jewish Telegraphic Agency. (1971, October 1). Two Congressmen score Malik for anti-Semitic attack on Israel. Link
Herf, J. (2010, February 4). It will not go away. The New Republic. Link
Corey, W. (2013). Russian antisemitism Pamyat/De. Taylor & Francis, p. 34. Link
Liebowitz, J. S. (1971, October 4). Malik's diatribe. The New York Times. Link
The New York Times. (1971, October 1). B'nai B'rith protests to U.N. remark on Jews by Soviet. Link
Wien, E. (2024, June 27). "I am not antisemitic, just anti-Zionist". Substack. Link
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