Kiev's Jews told to flee

Israel Matzav ^ | 2/22/14 | Carl in Jerusalem

[Nachum]

Some of you might recall that I visited Kiev and the Ukraine with one of my children in late September. A lot has changed since then, and now a rabbi in Kiev has urged his congregants to flee the city and the country, if possible.

Ukrainian Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman, called on Kiev's Jews to leave the city and even the country if possible, fearing that the city's Jews will be victimized in the chaos, Israeli daily Maariv reported Friday.

"I told my congregation to leave the city center or the city all together and if possible the country too," Rabbi Azman told Maariv. "I don't want to tempt fate," he added, "but there are constant warnings concerning intentions to attack Jewish institutions."

According to the paper's report Azman closed the Jewish community's schools but still holds three daily prayers. He said the Israeli embassy told members of the Jewish community to avoid leaving their homes.

Edward Dolinsky, head of the umbrella organization of Ukraine's Jews described the situation in Kiev as dire, telling Maariv "We contacted Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman requesting he assist us with securing the community."

President Viktor Yanukovich fled his residence and the city earlier on Saturday, but he did not succeed in fleeing the country. Meanwhile, former President Yulia Tymoshenko was released from three years of detention on Saturday. Tymoshenko, who is aligned with Russia, has been accused of anti-Semitism in the past.

But note this correction at the end of the Haaretz piece quoted above.

Correction (Feb. 22, 4:20 P.M.): An earlier version of this report incorrectly described Rabbi Azman as the chief rabbi of Ukraine. Azman is not the country's chief rabbi, but one of two rabbis challenging the official chief rabbi, Yaakov Bleich, in Kiev, and like most Chabad rabbis, is aligned with the Kremlin.

[Nachum]

Not good.

[Dick Vomer]

There has to be a scapegoat. Well they can always depend on our current administration to defend them.

[DesertRhino]

But,,, I heard the protesters were Jeffersonian democrats, who only yearn to breathe free.

[Mariner]

But what have they to fear from the glorious and pure freedom fighters of the western Ukraine?

They seek only to throw off the yoke of Russian oppression and be part of civilized, western society!

What of the Gypsies and Poles?

[firebrand]

Is the last line of this article meant to imply that this is Bolshevik scapegoating of the Ukrainians? It gets confusing.

[Oliviaforever]

Another Obama foreign policy screw up and he will leave his victims to die.

[Seizethecarp]

“Tymoshenko, who is aligned with Russia, has been accused of anti-Semitism in the past.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yulia_Tymoshenko

“Tymoshenko strives for Ukraine’s integration into the European Union, strongly opposes the membership of Ukraine in the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia, and supports eradication of post-Soviet corrupt clans in Ukraine.”

[MuttTheHoople]

The Black Death, blame the Jews. The Rise of Communism, blame the Jews. The Fall of Communism, blame the Jews. Maybe this time, Israel will protect the Jews in the Diaspora and mete out a little payback to all the anti-Semites for once.

[Psalm 144]

Yup. Just like in Egypt.

[Lisbon1940]

Some are. Others are neo-Nazis.

[cunning_fish]

>>Is the last line of this article meant to imply that this is Bolshevik scapegoating of the Ukrainians? It gets confusing.<<

I guess it is added to undermine Azman’s credibility but I don’t think he is wrong.
Ties between Jews and Russia in Eastern Europe and Stans are no secret, they need some power to protect them considering popular sentiments in said places.

[familyop]

Antisemitism in Ukraine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitism_in_Ukraine
"During Ukrainian elections candidates like Yulia Tymoshenko and Arseniy Yatsenyuk have been "accused" of being Jewish, in what appeared to be smear campaigns."

[familyop]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_and_discrimination_in_Ukraine

"During the 2010 presidential elections-campaign candidates Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Yulia Tymoshenko were 'accused' of being Jewish, in what appeared to be a smear campaign.[35] Tymoshenko was referred to as 'the Jewish woman with the braid'.[36] Unattributed leaflets referring to Tymoshenko as 'a Jew' and calling not to vote for her appeared in mail boxes in Western Ukraine in the last week before the February 7, 2010 runoff vote of the election.[35]"

[dfwgator]

Ukrainians greeted the Jews marching into Babi Yar with truncheons.

[cunning_fish]

>>”During Ukrainian elections candidates like Yulia Tymoshenko and Arseniy Yatsenyuk have been “accused” of being Jewish, in what appeared to be smear campaigns.”<<

Just feel a taste of this sentence.

So good these respective people were able wash their names and prove they aren’t or their political careers in Ukraine could have been ended! /sarc

[man_in_tx]

But,,, I heard the protesters were Jeffersonian democrats, who only yearn to breathe free.

/////////////
Good point. Therefore, the Jews are frightened for no reason whatsoever. /sarc

[Gene Eric]

>> referring to Tymoshenko as ‘a Jew’

In other words, the threat is not from the rebels?

[Gene Eric]

>> Just feel a taste of this sentence.

Please, spell it out and make clear the issue the Jews are facing.

[cunning_fish]

I don’t know what exactly. And what is your opinion?

[Gene Eric]

Don’t have one. Trying to understand what’s going on.