Jewish groups have issued various statements denouncing the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and standing with the Ukrainian Jewish community.
Russia launched the invasion against Ukraine on February 24; Russian President Vladimir Putin alleged that the invasion is necessary to “denazify” Ukraine. The Associated Press (AP) reported that Putin was depicting “members of Ukrainian right-wing groups as neo-Nazis, exploiting their admiration for WWII-era Ukrainian nationalist leaders who sided with the Nazis.” “Ukraine is now led by a Jewish president who lost relatives in the Holocaust and angrily dismissed the Russian claims,” the AP report added. President Joe Biden announced a new round of sanctions in response to Russia’s actions and pledged that United States forces in Europe would only be there to defend NATO allies and not get involved in the fighting in Ukraine. “Putin’s actions betray a sinister vision for the future of our world, one where nations take what they want by force,” Biden said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid also issued a statement denouncing the invasion and pledging to provide aid to the Ukrainian citizenry. “Israel is a country that has experienced wars, and war is not the way to resolve conflicts. The first hours and days of any war, are also the last time you can still stop.” He added that “Israel has deep, long and good relations with Russia and with Ukraine. There are tens of thousands of Israelis in both countries, there are hundreds of thousands of Jews in both countries––maintaining their security and safety are at the top of our considerations.”
Statement from Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid: "The Russian attack on Ukraine is a serious violation of international order, Israel condemns the attack, is ready and prepared to provide humanitarian aid to the citizens of Ukraine.
— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) February 24, 2022
Israel is a country that has experienced wars, and war is not the way to resolve conflicts. The first hours and days of any war, are also the last time you can still stop. To return to the negotiating table, mediated by the powers, to settle disputes peacefully…
— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) February 24, 2022
Israel has deep, long and good relations with Russia and with Ukraine. There are tens of thousands of Israelis in both countries, there are hundreds of thousands of Jews in both countries – maintaining their security and safety are at the top of our considerations.”
— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) February 24, 2022
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said in a statement that they condemn “in the strongest terms Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, a blatant violation of international law. This unnecessary war instigated by President Vladimir Putin has already caused thousands of deaths over the last eight years, will unleash untold misery on the civilian population, and threatens the independence of Ukraine, a fellow democracy.” They also denounced Putin’s “denazification” rationale. “Invoking Nazism to legitimize Russia’s aggression is unacceptable. Ukraine is a democracy with equal rights for its Jewish citizens, including the right to be elected to its highest office, as President [Volodymyr] Zelensky has demonstrated.”
The American Jewish Committee (AJC) similarly tweeted, “AJC strongly condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in flagrant violation of international law. We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and remain committed to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russian aggression cannot go unpunished.”
AJC strongly condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in flagrant violation of international law.
We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and remain committed to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Russian aggression cannot go unpunished. pic.twitter.com/rUyZFlNzUl
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) February 24, 2022
The Simon Wiesenthal Center also tweeted that they condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “We pray for the safety of the people of #Ukraine and we add a special prayer for Jews caught, again, in harm’s way.” The tweet linked to a Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) story about the Chief Rabbi of Kyiv staying behind to help out members of the Jewish community who weren’t able to escape to the western part of Ukraine.
SWC condemns the #Russian invasion of Ukraine. We pray for the safety of the people of #Ukraine and we add a special prayer for Jews caught, again, in harm’s way. https://t.co/Zl9QzVpsgQ via @JNS_org
— SimonWiesenthalCntr (@simonwiesenthal) February 24, 2022
J Street tweeted, “We’re horrified and deeply saddened by the ongoing Russian attack on Ukraine. Our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people and all those who will suffer from this terrible war. A truly sad day for all those who stand for peace, justice and international law.”
We're horrified and deeply saddened by the ongoing Russian attack on Ukraine. Our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people and all those who will suffer from this terrible war. A truly sad day for all those who stand for peace, justice and international law.
— J Street (@jstreetdotorg) February 24, 2022
The Republican Jewish Coalition said in a statement that they condemn the invasion and that “Putin aims to destroy the nascent democracy in Ukraine, to threaten the former Soviet republics in eastern Europe, and to weaken the NATO alliance. The free world must stand up to this violent expansionism now, and the US must lead that effort from a position of strength and in solidarity with our allies.” They called on Biden “to accelerate the implementation of punishing sanctions on Russia and its leaders and call on Congress to pass legislation to broaden sanctions authority.”
Iranian Americans for Liberty Executive Director Bryan E. Leib put the blame of the invasion on “Biden’s weak leadership on the world stage” in a statement. “The same weak leadership that has resulted in the Iranian Regime enriching uranium at historic levels has now resulted in Russia invading Ukraine,” Leib added. “Russia would never be invading Ukraine if President [Donald] Trump was still America’s [president]. He knew that peace through strength was the only way to deal with our adversaries.”
The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA), on the other hand, tweeted that “that Trump & his acolytes are praising Putin & abandoning Ukraine. Trump removed support for Ukrainian independence from the GOP platform. Trump was impeached for trying to extort Ukraine by withholding military aid. We know where Trump stands.” Trump had said during a February 22 interview that Putin’s invasion was “genius” and “savvy” because “he’s gonna go in and be a peacekeeper. That’s the strongest peace force… we could use that on our southern border.” He went onto say that “this never would have happened with us. Had I been in office, not even thinkable” and criticized Biden’s lack of a response to Putin.
It should come as no surprise that Trump & his acolytes are praising Putin & abandoning Ukraine.
Trump removed support for Ukrainian independence from the GOP platform.
Trump was impeached for trying to extort Ukraine by withholding military aid.
We know where Trump stands. https://t.co/y9QRdWc9wj
— Jewish Dems (@USJewishDems) February 24, 2022
Trump says Putin's military move on Ukraine is "genius."
"Putin is now saying, 'It’s independent,' a large section of Ukraine. I said, 'How smart is that?' And he’s gonna go in and be a peacekeeper… We could use that on our southern border."
"Here’s a guy who’s very savvy." pic.twitter.com/8vk9SWm3QO
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) February 22, 2022
The JDCA also urged their followers in a separate tweet to “add your name to send a letter to your members of Congress urging they support [Biden]’s commitments and #StandWithUkraine.”
Jewish Dems stand with Ukraine.
Stand up for democracy and take action with us. Add your name to send a letter to your members of Congress urging they support @POTUS's commitments and #StandWithUkraine.https://t.co/WBzBWLgCDJ
— Jewish Dems (@USJewishDems) February 24, 2022
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles is “closely monitoring the conflict in Ukraine and concerned for the safety of all Jews in the region” and that their partner, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is “in the region working to ensure the well-being of the Jewish population there. We are also providing support to the Russian-speaking Jews here in Los Angeles, many of whom have loved ones in the region.” “We must remember that whenever and wherever one Jew is threatened, we are all threatened,” the Federation added. “While we are vigilant in these troubling times, we join all of those who wish for peace.”
Stop Antisemitism urged their followers to donate to Tikva Odessa, a Jewish orphanage in Ukraine that’s currently attempting to evacuate children to the nearby nation of Moldova with the help of an Israeli security firm. “Donations are desperately needed, ANY amount helps,” they wrote.
HELP NEEDED – Tikva Odessa, an amazing Jewish orphanage in Ukraine, is currently evacuating children to Moldova in collaboration with an Israeli security firm.
Donations are desperately needed, ANY amount helps: https://t.co/Px7lglZoRL
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) February 24, 2022
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