Vladimir Begun

Vladimir Yakovlevich Begun (Russian: Влади́мир Яковлевич Бегу́н; 1929–1989) was a prominent official Zionologist in the Soviet Union.[1][2] He was a member of the Institute for Philosophy and Law of the Belarusian Academy of Sciences, a state communist propagandist, and a member of the Union of Journalists of the USSR.

One of his controversial books, "The Encroaching Counter Revolution," caused some controversy. In November 1975, the leading Soviet historian, academician M. Korostovtsev, criticized it, stating, "...it perceptibly stirs up anti-Semitism under the flag of anti-Zionism." According to Wolf Rubinchyk, a researcher based in Minsk, Begun's notorious book "The Invasion without Arms" was used not only by official propagandists but also by some members of the counter-elite, young Belarusian nationalists, who were suspicious about Zionism. Rubinchyk also pointed out falsifications of Simon Dubnow's ideas by Begun.[3]

Begun gained a certain position in the Soviet hierarchy and was transferred from provincial Minsk to Moscow. Until his death, he staunchly opposed bringing Marc Chagall's exhibition to Belarus, the famous artist's place of birth, on "anti-Zionist" grounds.