When statements about a worrying increase in
anti-semitism are backed with examples, such as the desecration of graves or
memorials in Ukraine, the conclusion seems obvious.
But such conclusions are wrong. In that same period of
2012, Viacheslav Likhachev, who has been monitoring anti-Semitism and xenophobia in Ukraine for
the past 10 years, reported
a decrease in anti-Semitism. Driven
by public statements in response to repugnant but isolated remarks by certain rightwing
Svoboda Party members, Likhachev made a point of showing trends over the last
10 years. These were clearly downward.
It should be stressed that Likhachev’s report in no
way speaks of bigotry and prejudice having been overcome, quite the contrary.
However concentration on anti-Semitism misses the point and obscures the large
number of victims of xenophobic or discriminatory treatment. both from certain
members of the public and, unfortunately, from the authorities.
This increases victims’ vulnerability, while playing
straight into the hands of those who are pushing the line that Ukraine is
seeing a surge in anti-Semitism and neo-Nazism.
This would seem to be worth a lot to those seeking to
distract their own disgruntled electorate and fight the political opposition. Such
forms of political struggle are not new in Ukraine, where both the Party of the
Regions and the Communists have long tried to present their opponents as fascists,
Nazi collaborators, etc. However, the drive to push these stereotypes over the
last six months at least has been enormous, both within Ukraine and abroad.
Svoboda’s 10 percent win in the elections is presented as somehow reflecting
Ukrainians’ bigotry, innate anti-Semitism, etc. This is surely as unjustified
as to believe that the 10 percent of the population who voted for the Communist
Party (also a considerable increase) were drawn to its Stalinist rhetoric.
In times of hardship and political ferment voters
hanker for easy answers which are willingly offered by parties who can make
populist promises with relative impunity. It is also likely that Svoboda’s
relative victory had a great deal to do with the measures weakening the
position of the Ukrainian language since Yanukovych became president.
There is quite simply no evidence to suggest any
increase in anti-Semitism or xenophobia, while the ruling Party of the Regions and Svoboda have
shown equal enthusiasm for thoroughly homophobic legislative initiatives.
The above is confirmed by Josef Zisels, former
political prisoner and head of the Association of Jewish Organisations and
Communities (Vaad) who told
Radio Free Europe that while anti-Semitism and xenophobia exist, they are by no
means as bad as they are being painted by those trying to discredit the
opposition. He says that Vaad will be contacting the US State Department to express
their disagreement with the inclusion of Ukraine in any list of countries where
anti-Semitism is on the increase.
The warnings issued both from Vaad and from the
Congress of National Communities of Ukraine of the danger of artificially
inciting ethnic enmity and anti-Semitism should be heeded – both in Ukraine and
beyond.
Halya Coynash is a
member of the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group.
