Government's double standards: Protecting some while oppressing others

Meeting of the Head of the State Ethnopolitics Service with representatives of the U.S. Jewish community. Photo: State Ethnopolitics Service

The State Ethnopolitics Service (DESS) has expressed concern over the protection of Jewish rights, including religious ones. The agency has called on Ukrainians to discuss a draft law on additional measures to counter antisemitism.

Let us recall a few obvious facts.

Jews are the only religious group in Ukraine that is allowed by the authorities to hold mass gatherings during wartime. Tens of thousands of people participate in the annual pilgrimages to Uman, despite the mayor’s claims that the city is unprepared to provide shelters in case of air raids.

During Jewish holidays, menorahs are installed in the main squares of Ukrainian cities. Political and military leaders take part in Jewish rituals.

Given all this, do Jews still need additional protection?

According to DESS, the new law will help Ukraine align itself more closely with the EU by implementing the recommendations of the European Commission.

This is all well and good – Jews should not suffer under any circumstances. But what about Orthodox Ukrainians? Are they not worth protecting? Their churches are being seized and physically demolished, their services disrupted by police, their access to holy sites blocked, and entire laws are passed against them.

This is reminiscent of a homeowner whose roof has long since collapsed, the floor has rotted, and the walls are about to fall apart, yet he diligently polishes the doorknob, which already shines.

It’s a peculiar and utterly weird reality.

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