Kyiv Post - 08.31.2005

Kyiv Post

More anti-Semitism

Editorial

Aug. 28 marked another sad day for Ukraine. That's when latent, often ignored and frequently tolerated anti-Semitism in Ukraine appeared to have shown its repugnant face. A local Jewish student was beaten and left for dead in the center of the city. 

On Sunday evening two Jewish students went out to buy some food and, on their way back to their synagogue, were accosted by some drunken hooligans. At first, the young thugs threw empty beer bottles, but then they started using their bottles to beat and stab one of the students while the other ran for help. Now 32-year-old Mordecai Molozhanov, bludgeoned and lacerated, lies in a coma, clinging to life in a Kyiv hospital. It's not clear whether he'll survive. 

Police are saying there's no evidence the assault was inspired by anti-Semitism and, at the moment, no one can say for sure what motivated these boys to attack the two individuals. Given the assault was perpetrated by drunken teenagers, it probably wasn't meticulously planned after a close reading of the "Protocols of Zion" or David Duke tracts. But anti-Semitic materials are readily available in Ukraine, courtesy of a number of organizations, media and so-called institutions of higher learning. Jewish leaders routinely point to them as the cause of the anti-Semitism that exists in Ukraine.

The Jewish community has for years attempted to raise public awareness of the specter of anti-Semitism, calling on government officials, including President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, to disassociate themselves from colleagues who condone anti-Semitism or are affiliated with the aforementioned organizations.

Meanwhile, the government seems content to repeat the same old rhetoric. On Aug. 30, Yushchenko, reacting to this latest barbarity, reiterated the standard response - that Ukrainians should promote respect for people of all cultures, nationalities and religious beliefs. 

"We condemn racism and xenophobia. Such incidents are inadmissible for Kyiv and Ukraine and I will persistently ask all authorities to prevent shameful disgraceful occurrences," he said.

Good. Now it's time to translate those words into action. What Yushchenko should do is make this case another "matter of honor" and then follow up on it, making sure that the assailants are identified, apprehended, and convicted.

Historically, as Jewish leaders again point out, the nation's judicial system has seemed less than willing to punish violent bigots. Yushchenko himself hasn't proven that he's any better at making sure cases are solved, "honor" or not.

This time, though, things have started off well: Three men have already been arrested in connection with the beating. Let's hope all the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice after a fair and speedy trial.