- September 26, 2024
- 12:43 pm
- Ukraine
On September 24, 2024, Russian troops once again demonstrated their barbaric tactics by attacking civilian infrastructure in Zaporizhia. One of the targets of the attack was the Jewish cemetery, an important historical and cultural site for the region's Jewish community.
As a result of the shelling, the Russian shell tore apart the graves, leaving a crater measuring 16 m². This is not just an act of vandalism, it is a war crime aimed at destroying not only the Jewish heritage, but also the foundations of human morality and civilized values.
Shelling of Jewish sites like this is becoming a regular practice for Russian occupiers, writes United Jewish Community of Ukraine. Since the beginning of the war, Jewish cemeteries in Bila Tserkva, Glukhov, the Jewish part of the Berkovets Cemetery in Kyiv and, most symbolically, the Babi Yar memorial, the site of mass executions of Jews during World War II, have already been damaged or destroyed. Russia, which cynically justifies its invasion with false “denazification,” has itself become an instrument of destruction of Jewish heritage and historical memory.
Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman rightly called the shelling a war crime:
“This is a real war crime against not only the Jewish people, but humanity as a whole. If there are still those in the world who think that Russia came to Ukraine to “denazify”, let them look at the bombed Jewish cemeteries, synagogues and other historical monuments. The world must help Ukraine stop this evil!”
These criminal actions by Russia are not accidental. The Kremlin has been actively supporting Israel’s enemies, such as Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas, for many years, supplying them with weapons and helping to organize terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens. Moscow has built a strong alliance with regimes that seek to destroy Israel, supporting destabilization in the region. Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is closely related to this policy: the Putin regime is trying to create an axis of evil that includes dictatorial and terrorist regimes that are hostile to both Israel and Western democracies.
Russian missiles that destroy Jewish monuments in Ukraine not only continue a centuries-old line of anti-Semitism, but also undermine the very essence of resistance to evil that Jews have stood for throughout their history. Israel, once a haven for Holocaust survivors, must intervene more actively in these events.
The Israeli government's reaction
Unfortunately, the Israeli government's response to these acts of aggression remains muted. Despite the obvious threats to the Jewish community in Ukraine and the destruction of cultural sites, Israel does not take active steps to protect its diasporas and condemn Russia on the international stage. Israel's silence raises questions and bewilderment, especially in a situation where Russia closely cooperates with those who openly declare their desire to destroy the Jewish state.
Israel could take a more forceful stand, using its influence with international organizations like the UN to condemn these acts of vandalism as war crimes and anti-Semitic acts. Israel could also step up diplomatic efforts to pressure Russia and demand international accountability for the destruction of Jewish monuments in Ukraine.
Financial and technical support for the restoration of Jewish cemeteries and synagogues destroyed by Russian shelling would send a strong signal that Israel remains committed to protecting Jewish heritage and will not allow Russia's terrorist allies to destroy it anywhere.
Israel should remember that passivity in the face of destruction could lead to further aggression against Jewish targets, both in Ukraine and around the world. Only decisive action can show the enemies of the Jewish people that their crimes will not go unpunished.
