26 October 2006
Ukraine's prime minister Viktor Yanukovich has promised his government's assistance in dealing with anti-Semitism in Ukraine. Yanukovich made the pledge at a meeting with a group of rabbis representing the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine, a Chabad-led umbrella organization. He also said his government favored the development of Jewish communal and religious institutions in the country. The rabbis also discussed with Yanukovich the issue of restitution of Jewish communal property and the prospects of opening a new Jewish community center in Kiev. Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko official recognition of World War II nationalist fighters as war veterans has caused some irritation among Jewish groups. Some historians believe the resistance fighters, who often fought against both the Soviets and the Nazis, were responsible for killing Jews in Ukraine during and after the war.
Meanwhile, the American white supremacist David Duke has addressed meeting in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. The gathering was organized by a university with a history of anti-Semitism. Duke spoke about alleged "Zionist influence" over US foreign policy and mass media. He also signed copies of the Russian edition of his book, "The Jewish Question Through the Eyes of an American".
