Kyiv chief rabbi: ‘Putin has united Ukrainians and Jews’

Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman is the chief rabbi of the Brodsky Synagogue in Kyiv. He not too long ago made an impassioned video deal with through which he accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of committing warfare crimes and crimes in opposition to humanity. He known as on Russians and Jews to protest and assist convey an finish to the warfare in Ukraine. DW spoke to him about his motivation and the reactions to his plea, and for his evaluation of occasions.

DW: The Kremlin says that “denazification” is among the objectives of its navy operation in Ukraine. What is your response?

Moshe Reuven Azman: Against whom is that this “denazification” directed? Against President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy, who’s Jewish? Or in opposition to opposition chief [Vadim] Rabinovich? Only any individual who has been brainwashed by tv, which spreads all kinds of nonsense, might imagine such garbage. There isn’t any Nazism in Ukraine; there aren’t even any nationalist events in parliament. No regular particular person believes this drivel. Moscow simply wants a pretext to fulfill its imperial ambitions.

How would you consider the Russian airstrike on the TV tower in Kyiv, which additionally affected the Babi Yar memorial?

It’s an indication! I believe it was a warning from above about the place this warfare may lead. Thank God there haven’t been any punitive operations but, however simply the truth that peaceable residents are being shot at, and automobiles and buildings too, already constitutes warfare crimes in my view.

Do you count on assist from Jewish communities overseas?

Russia and Putin have united the Ukrainian and Jewish individuals, the entire world, in opposition to them. Today, everyone seems to be praying each for Ukrainians and for Jews. We have all change into victims of the identical tragedy. That is why I’ll proceed to ask for prayers and for protests. I ask you to do the whole lot in your energy. I’ve already informed the Jews of Russia that they need to do that. I notice that a few of them have been brainwashed, and a few are scared. I used to be born in Leningrad myself, within the Soviet Union, when the KGB nonetheless existed. But I used to be not afraid. Because of my actions, I used to be dropped at the KGB to be interrogated. Now once more, everybody should determine for themselves whether or not they need to be with good or evil, whether or not they select to take part in crime. If everybody in Russia had adopted a transparent place, the entire junta would have been removed a very long time in the past.

What reactions did you get to your video?

I addressed the Jews of Russia with all my coronary heart and the Russians, these individuals on whom the end result of this warfare relies upon. I used to be not studying a textual content. I reminded them that they couldn’t simply sit in entrance of their TVs and grin, that they must bear accountability for what is going on, with their tacit or non-tacit consent.

I’ve been known as by Jews and Russians from Russia. Some stated that I had opened their eyes; others stated they’d recognized what was occurring for a very long time however had been afraid to speak about it. I’m glad that I used to be in a position to open the eyes of individuals with my honest plea. In Ukraine, I’m informed that I’ve given robust emotional help to individuals right here on the bottom.

What is of most concern to the Jewish group in Ukraine now?

We have arrange a name middle to take calls from individuals in want of assist. We are organizing buses to take individuals to security in Israel and Europe. Jewish males who’re eligible for conscription really feel the necessity to defend Ukraine. They’re going to warfare, becoming a member of the military or territorial protection forces.

I obtain 1000’s of messages every single day. We’re attempting to save lots of individuals. We’re bringing meals and medication to individuals. There are many aged individuals who can’t transfer on their very own or are bedridden, together with individuals who miraculously escaped the Holocaust throughout World War II, and have now been pressured to flee Luhansk and different cities in Donbas. This is the third and even fourth time of their lives. They are shocked that the Russian military, which as soon as beat the Nazis, is now bombing them, destroying their properties and killing peaceable Ukrainians.