Lauder: New Ukrainian government must promote equal rights

NEW YORK -- The World Jewish Congress (WJC) President Ronald S. Lauder today looked forward to a democratic and peaceful future for Ukraine. “We hope and expect that all members of the new Ukrainian interim government will promote equal rights for all citizens and harmony among Ukraine’s diverse communities,” Lauder said. “We are monitoring closely the words and actions of politicians, including those from the Svoboda Party. We stress that there must be a zero tolerance toward any manifestations of anti-Semitism.”

Lauder said that WJC views with concern the vandalism that happened during Sunday night at the Giymat Rosa Synagogue in Zaporizhia, 250 miles southeast of Kiev, which sustained some damage from firebombs. No one was injured. “Local authorities must catch the culprits and prosecute them to the full extent of the law,” Lauder said. “No religious community must fear in a democratic Ukraine.”

Lauder appealed to the authorities to redouble security around Jewish sites; he praised the Jewish Agency for Israel for its pledge to send funds to bolster security in Jewish areas. “Security is expensive and that money is needed urgently,” Lauder said.

Noting that WJC CEO Robert Singer had recently returned from a fact-finding mission in Kiev where he had met with communal figures and with the ambassadors of the United States, the European Union, Germany and Israel, Lauder said that he was heartened that Ukrainian Jews had so many friends. “We thank the ambassadors for their continued close contact with the Jewish community and vigilance in monitoring any threats,” he said.

Background

The WJC has two affiliates in Ukraine, the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine, and the Vaad, and has closely coordinated with both since the Euromaidan demonstrations began in November 2013. The WJC has specifically been looking at the extreme nationalistic Svoboda (Freedom) party, headed by Oleh Tyahnybok. Certain elements of Svoboda’s grassroots following are overtly anti-Semitic.

Two Jewish men suffered beatings in anti-Semitic attacks in Kiev in January 2013. No one has claimed responsibility in those incidents.