The term useful Jew was used in various historical contexts, typically describing a
Jew useful in implementing an official authority's policy, sometimes by oppressing other Jews.
In 1744,
Frederick II of Prussia introduced the practice of limiting Jewish population to a small number of the most wealthy families, known as "
protected Jews" (Schutzjuden).[1] The first-born son in such families inherited this
privilege; other children were considered useless by the authorities and had the choice of either abstaining from marriage or leaving.[2]
Following the establishment of the
Pale of Settlement by
Imperial Russia, only "useful Jews" (
Russian: полезные евреи) were allowed to live outside the Pale; these included Jews such as wealthy first-rung merchants (
Russian: купцы первой гильдии), persons who had received
higher education,
cantonists (after serving their full term in the army), and some other categories.[3][4]
In
Israel and among its supporters, along with the term "useful Jews", the term "
useful idiots" is often used to describe
anti-Zionist/
post-Zionist Jews who stand against the Jewish state.[6][7]
^(in Russian)The infamous AZCSP (in Russian) Prepared by Moscow Bureau for human rights. Contains excerpts from June 6, 1983 AZSCP press-conference from the press-center of Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (sem40.ru)