t a park in an Israeli suburb dubbed "Little Moscow", the Russians are playing chess, arguing over card games and sunning themselves on benches.

But virtually no one is willing to speak out about one of the biggest crises in Israel-Russia relations in decades: the looming closure of a crucial agency which helps Russian Jews emigrate to Israel.

"I only speak Russian," said one man, wearing a chunky watch and gold chain, as he turned his back on The Telegraph. Another shook his head and briskly walked away when approached for an interview. A third seemed too fascinated by his hand of cards to respond when approached.

This week a Russian court will rule on whether to close down the Jewish Agency, which encourages and supports emigration from Russia to Israel.

Russian officials have accused the agency of improperly storing records of Russian citizens. But it is widely suspected that the court case is retaliation for Israel taking a public stance against Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Yair Lapid, the prime minister of Israel, condemned the war in April and accused Russia of committing war crimes in his previous role as foreign minister.

Closure 'could mark return to grim Soviet era'

Israeli media reports say there are also concerns that the closure of the agency could mark a return to the grim Soviet era, when Jewish emigration was restricted and Russian Jews were forced to endure increased levels of anti-Semitism.