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The late Rabbi Menachem Mendel Deitsch. Photo: Provided.

Just before the last day of Passover, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Deitsch died in Israel. The well-known Chabadrabbi was injured inabrutal attack inOctober 2016 in Zhitomir, Ukraine, where he wassavagelybeaten by bunch of thugs. Rabbi Deitsch was only 64 years old. His death has become a tragicsymbol of antisemitismin Ukraine a phenomenon that the world prefers to ignore.

Antisemitism is thriving in Ukraine, as is ultra-nationalism and hatred against all minority groups. One needs only to watch Ukrainian television coverage praising neo-Nazi ralliesto discover what the country has become. But the resurgence of antisemitism here has only been made possible bythe worlds indifference and inaction.

During the last six months, there have been scores of hate crimes in Ukraine. When it comes to the Jewish community, these crimes include the desecration of Rabbi Nachman of Breslovs grave in Uman, which was crowned bya pigs head with a swastika carved on it.This and other antisemitic attacks weredocumented with photos and detailed descriptions. All of them were reported to the Ukrainian police. The result? Nothing. And the worlds reaction? Nada.

April 21, 2017 4:57 pm

The desecration of Jewish buildings and memorials has become quite common in Ukraine and, in some cases, the vandalism isrepeated many times peryear.

Simultaneously, there has beena disgusting attempt to rewrite history throughout the country.In a macabre-like episode, Ukrainian nationalists are trying to whitewash theBabi Yar massacre that took place during the Holocaust, and the countrys officials including Kievs mayor are allowing it.Ukraine is alsoerecting memorials and setting up exhibitions to honor the perpetrators of the most vicious antisemitic attacks that took placeduring the Holocaust.

One such exhibition honored theexploits of Ivan Rohach, who was the editor of the Ukrainian ultra-nationalistic OUN newspaper; he alsorepeatedly called for the extermination of the Jews. Amemorial was also established to honorYelena Teliga, a fierce antisemite whodemonized Jews and helped instigate theBabi Yar massacre.

Daily life in Ukraine is dangerous for Jews, and rabbis and community leaders are afraid to speak out about it for fear of makingthe situation worse.

Amid all of this, the worldhas beensilent.

The European Parliament, for instance, led the fight for Ukrainian MP Nadija Savchenkos release from Russian prison. But many Europeans were silent whenshe said the following on a popular radio show in Kiev: I have nothing against the Jews, but I do hate kikes who have grabbed 80% of [the] power in our country, [despite] being just 2% of our population.

And do not tell us about the Ukrainian prime minister who happened to be Jewish. His appointment came specificallyto refute the long catalog of Ukrainian antisemitism.

In the case of Rabbi Deitsch, the death of a very good man and devoted rabbi shall not go unnoticed. We must hold the Ukrainian authoritiesaccountable for this crime, and for the crime of vile and open antisemitism.And it is time for the world to finally demand action and justice.

Dr Inna Rogatchi is awriter, filmmaker, scholar, public figure and philanthropist. She made theinternationally prized film on Simon Wiesenthal, The Lessons of Survival. Her recent project Shining Souls, Champions of Humanity was inaugurated at the European Parliament early in 2017 and is on aworld tour.

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Antisemitic Hate Crimes Thrive in Ukraine - Algemeiner