There is a more sinister element here that involves more than intolerant chauvinism used by Moscow to confuse it with legitimate nationalism. It is another example of Russia and the secular Moscow Patriarchate causing division among Ukrainian Jews and Christians.
The Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia issued a statement expressing fear over the “rehabilitation of Nazism in Europe” and that a “revisionist policy on Ukrainian Nazi collaborators” was being pursued. The federation suggested that the violence reflected “terrorist ideology of Ukrainian radical nationalism.”
Yet the violence, though wrong, had little if anythingto do with Nazism. Itreflects in part the success of Russian propaganda. The protests were against the perception that the Red Armywas a liberator, not an expression of support for Nazism.
This is another example why Ukrainian patriots, who should encourage Jews to be part of their cause, must seek a constructive dialogue with Jewish sisters and brothers in Ukraine, Russia and Israel. Their failure to do so enables the Russian government and the Moscow Patriachate to linkchauvinist intolerance with the patriotism of nationalism thus diminishingUkraine’s claim to its sovereignty and attempts to nurture a cultural re-awakening.
It must be underscored that violence and the failure to respect free speech even if it is honoring the Soviet Army must be condemned. Nor does Nazism have aplace in a moral, ethical world. If Ukraine is to be democratic, if it is to be welcomed as part of the European Union then there is no place for violence and intolerance. It is ignorant, uncivilized and threatens the long-term viability of its democracy.
Peaceful protests against Victory Day could have been used to tell the world that Ukrainian patriots, contrary to Russian propaganda,do not glorifyNazism. It could have been a chance to remind the world that the Red Army destroyed the Ukrainian republic of 1918, a nation that Jews helped to support. The event could have been usedto tell the world about the Holomodor orchestrated by Stalin, who used the Red Army to starve millions ofUkrainians that included Jews and Christians.
In addition, a peaceful demonstration against Victory Day could have reminded the world that Stalin collaborated with Hitler to invade Poland in 1939. It is Stalin who would later be responsible for theKatyn massacre. Russia has succeeded in getting the world to forget, overlook or simply never learn about its complicity with Nazi Germany in the destruction of Poland and the Baltic states. This piece of history should be part of Victory Day celebrations, but those responsible for the disruptions failed to use this time to educate the world.
Of course, Communists, with blood-stained hands, replaced the Nazi oppressor, but because of the violence in Lvivthis month it hasnot be part of the news story being reported. Unfortunately, violence andthe disrespect for someone else’s rightsmade the headlines. It diminished Ukraine in the eyes of the international communitywhile giving legitimacy toRussia’s ongoing efforts to portray Ukraine as incapable of being amaturemember of the European community. It gives President Viktor Yanukovych, who behaves like Moscow’s appointed puppet-governor, another excuse to centralize his control.
Bishop Paul Peter Jesep of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church is the designated U.S. spokesperson for His Beatitude Metropolitan Myfodii of Kyiv and all Rus-Ukraine. He may be reached at [email protected].
