The EAJC leadership is deeply concerned by the rise of neo-Nazi sentiments in Ukraine

EAJC leadership expressed profound concern regarding manifestations of neo-Nazi sentiment in Ukraine, urging the authorities to dismantle illicit neo-Nazi movements within the country.

On July 29, the Kyiv Prosecutor's Office announced the detention of a 17-year-old hacker who had uploaded an image of a Nazi swastika into the computer system of the Gorodok Gallery shopping center in February of this year.

Consequently, the massive illuminated symbol of hatred and antisemitism was projected onto the central staircase of the shopping center, which was crowded with visitors.

On the same day, reports emerged regarding a solemn commemoration and reburial ceremony in the Zolochiv district of the Lviv region for the remains of Nazi collaborators from the SS Galicia Division.

The ceremony was attended by an honor guard from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, members of the "Galicia" Division Reserve organization in Nazi uniform, clergy, government officials, and non-governmental organizations. In his address, a representative of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine referred to the collaborators as heroes and saints deserving of canonization. A military salute was fired in honor of the Nazi collaborators.

“While the Ukrainian authorities evidently demonstrate vigilance toward dangerous manifestations of neo-Nazism, further measures are required. State and public organizations must adopt a rigorous stance to eradicate neo-Nazi movements in the country.

All manifestations of neo-Nazi ideology must be prohibited and prosecuted under Ukrainian laws governing the dissemination of Nazi symbols and the promotion of Nazism. We urge the Ukrainian authorities to uphold the law strictly and to place a particular emphasis on educating children and adolescents in the spirit of tolerance and mutual respect,” stated EAJC Director General Haim Ben-Yakov.

“The recent elections have demonstrated that radical and neo-Nazi groups and parties possess no political weight or influence in Ukraine, as none succeeded in securing parliamentary representation.

We are grateful to the EAJC for their support in this matter and remain confident that disgraceful manifestations of neo-Nazism in Ukraine will progressively dissipate.  For our part, we stand ready to assist the newly elected President of Ukraine in the ongoing struggle against nationalistic sentiment within the country,” added the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine and the All-Ukrainian Jewish Congress in a joint statement with the EAJC.