Limmud FSU in Ukraine: Israel continues to have ‘sympathetic ear’
Despite rising nationalism, there is still strong support for the Jewish state in Ukraine, guests were told during Limmud in Odessa
Israel continues to have a “sympathetic ear,” despite the recently unveiled statue of a nationalistic leader responsible for the murders of tens of thousands of Jews in Ukraine during the Russian Revolution, Israel’s ambassador to Ukraine said at Limmud.
On 14 October, during “Defender of Ukraine Day,” a statue of Symon Petliura, who oversaw the executions of nearly 50,000 Jews during his leadership of the Ukrainian People’s Republic between 1918 and 1921, was unveiled next to a synagogue in the western city of Vinnista.
Ambassador Eliav Belotzercovsky, confirmed that “nationalism is on the rise,” yet assured “there is a very good attitude toward Israel in Ukraine”.
“What really matters is not this specific statue in Vinnitsa, but the trends,” said Belotzercovsky.
READ MORE LIMMUD FSU IN UKRAINE:
“This trend is something that Israel’s representatives are dealing with, and we are trying to see how we can deal with this phenomenon with the best means we have. There is constant interaction with the government.”
“There is a very good attitude toward Israel in Ukraine,” he continued. “Nevertheless, the authorities here have their own interests, and they are not always in line with ours. This is also the issue with several streets of Kiev, as well as all kinds of other nationalist trends on the rise here.”
Despite the unveiling, Belotzercovsky noted that since April 2016 Ukraine had been led by a Jewish prime minister, Vladi-mir Groysman, who was born in Vinnitsa, although the government continues to be criticised for attempts to praise nationalists.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
