Authorities to create a new body to combat anti-Semitism, Jews oppose it

Rabbis with Zelensky at the Office of the President. Photo: OP website

The United Jewish Community of Ukraine opposed the government Bill No. 13366, which provides for the creation of the position of a special coordinator for combating anti-Semitism.

The essence of the conflict

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine initiated a bill to amend the law "On Prevention and Counteraction to Anti-Semitism in Ukraine," proposing to establish the position of a special coordinator on prevention and counteraction to anti-Semitism. It is planned to create a central executive body that will coordinate activities in this area.

The head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), Viktor Yelensky, played a key role in drafting the main documents. It was under his leadership that the conceptual foundations of the new body were developed. This body is intended to be granted broad coordinating powers in the field of combating antisemitism. According to the authors' vision, the new coordinator will be tasked with monitoring, analyzing, and coordinating the efforts of various state agencies in countering antisemitic manifestations.

However, it is the United Jewish Community of Ukraine (UJCU) that considers this initiative inappropriate and not in the interests of Ukrainian society.

In an official statement on June 13, the UJCU emphasizes: “Ukrainian legislation already contains a clear definition of antisemitism – it has been adopted by the Verkhovna Rada, is based on international standards, and is in effect.”

Counterarguments

The Jewish community presents several significant arguments against the creation of a new body:

Duplication of functions. According to the UJCU, the proposed powers of the coordinator essentially duplicate the existing functions of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS).

Absence of a systemic problem. The community claims that "the problem of anti-Semitism in Ukraine is not systemic, ideological, or widespread, unlike in some EU countries".

Risk of reverse effect. "Adding another 'punitive' body seems artificial and may have the opposite effect – provoking distrust and a new wave of tension in society," warns the UJCU.

The UJCU emphasizes that the current law of 2021 functions effectively: "All incidents in practice have long been qualified by the police as anti-Semitism, not as hooliganism."

The Jews appealed to the people's deputies with a call to reject Bill No. 13366 as one that "does not bring real benefits in the fight against anti-Semitism and may harm the processes of interethnic understanding in Ukraine".

Earlier, the UOJ wrote about the anti-Semitic background of Viktor Yelensky.

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