NEW YORK – The World Jewish Congress has welcomed the declaration by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko condemning “any manifestations of intolerance and anti-Semitism.”
“The World Jewish Congress is gratified by President Poroshenko’s unambiguous denunciation of the ugly anti-Semitic demonstrations that have recently taken place in various parts of Ukraine,” said World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder. “We hope that his repudiation of any glorification of neo-Nazi ideology and other anti-Semitic outrages will send a clear signal to the Ukrainian people that bigotry in all its forms is unacceptable in our society.”
Reacting to a series of neo-Nazi and other recent anti-Semitic manifestations, including a march in Lviv to commemorate the World War II Ukrainian Galicia SS division and anti-Semitic remarks at a public even in Odessa, a series of neo-Nazi and other anti-Semitic marches and demonstrations, President Poroshekno said in a statement on Friday:
“I strongly condemn any manifestations of intolerance and anti-Semitism. I consider as unacceptable any attempts to bring these shameful things in Ukraine, as it happened recently during the actions in Lviv and Odesa.
“Ukrainian authorities will resolutely respond to any attempts to sow hostility in our society.
“The reaction of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies to such unlawful actions will be immediate.
“Ukraine is not a place for discrimination and intolerance on any ground, since respect for life and dignity of every person is the highest value for the Ukrainian state.”