ADL raps anti- Semitic comments of Ukraine rebels

ADL logoNEW YORK (Press Release) — The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Tuesday, Feb. 3, was deeply troubled by a thinly veiled anti-Semitic appeal made by the leadership of the Donetsk and Lugansk “People’s Republics,” who referred to the central government in Kyiv as “pathetic representatives of the great Jewish people.”

During a press conference on February 2 captured on YouTube, Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitsky – respectively of Donetsk and Lugansk – asked how “Cossacks could be ruled by the not quite right kind of people.” After several minutes of calling on Ukrainian citizens to disobey and reject President Poroshenko and his government, Zakharenko explicitly mentioned ‘Jews,’ and Plotnitsky immediately attempted to provide cover against accusations of anti-Semitism by referring to a YouTube video about ‘Jewish Cossacks.’

“Those watching understood very well that this was an anti-Semitic appeal,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. “Their body language clearly gave them away as Plotnitsky began to smirk at the beginning of the performance, knowing what was coming, and Zakharenko, who tried not to laugh as he was speaking, said ‘Jews’ very subtly, before Plotnitsky tried to inoculate them from the anti-Semitism accusation with his comments, which came so quickly they were clearly pre-planned.”

Mr. Foxman added, “Anti-Semitism has no place in political speech, and any attempt to espouse anti-Jewish hatred within any political arena is simply unacceptable.”

In April 2014, ADL condemned the appearance of anti-Semitic fliers in Donetsk, which were handed out on the first night of Passover instructing Jews to register with the government or face deportation and confiscation of their property.

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Preceding provided by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)

 

1 thought on “ADL raps anti- Semitic comments of Ukraine rebels”

  1. The Jews leaders should know that their enormous contributing to World cultures, sience,medicine,law,philosofy was a boomerang for the Jews.
    The Jews leaders should tell the Jewish people worldwide:

    “”For your children fulture leave and live in Israel””

    And better as soon as possible.

    In Israel, the Jewish country, they will contribute to their culture, build for prosperity and defend their own nation, and still contributing to the world prosperity and culture – as the defending Israel does.

    I know that is challenging and demands courage– but is your duty for your children future.

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