Countries that believe in democracy, human dignity and values should not tolerate anti-Semitism - Markarova
Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States
Ukraine has one of the lowest rates of anti-Semitism, and Jewish culture is inseparable from Ukrainian culture. This was stated by Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, during the Fifth Kyiv Jewish Forum. In her opinion, the main issue is how countries respond to manifestations of anti-Semitism.
“It is very important for us in Ukraine to put a decisive end to this. When incidents occur from time to time, first, it is punishable by law. Secondly, it is important for the president, for the prime minister, for everyone in Ukraine, for all of us, to respond to this and counteract it, because anti-Semitism is based on lies and fakes. Anti-Semitism, like any kind of xenophobia, is vile, and we must all fight it,” Markarova said.
She told the KJF participants that Ukrainian schools teach the history of the Holocaust. Ukraine also honors all events, especially those that took place on the territory of Ukraine, including the anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy.
Markarova noted the similarity between the actions of the Nazis during World War II and Russia's actions in the current war against Ukraine: “We hear anti-Semitic statements from the Russian leadership, as well as anti-Ukrainian statements, which are very similar – “the final solution to the Ukrainian issue.”
She added that the axis of evil – Russia, Iran, North Korea – will do everything from military aggression to all hybrid threats to weaken democratic countries.
“We see this in Ukraine. We are under attack. Russia is engaged in propaganda, cyberattacks. It is cooperating with Iran and North Korea. If we do not decisively stop them in Ukraine, they will continue to spread everywhere,” the ambassador said.
Kyiv Jewish Forum is taking place for the fifth year in a row. This year, it is held online, and Washington, D.C. has become the central venue. The Kyiv Jewish Forum is organized by the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine and by The Jerusalem Post.
As explained by JCU President and Vice President of the World Jewish Congress Boris Lozhkin, this year's speakers and guests of the forum will try to find answers to the question of how to counter the modern axis of evil formed by Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
