Putin accused of ‘trivialisation and distortion of historical facts of the Shoah’
Board of Deputies condemns the Russian president for comments made about the 'demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine'
The Board of Deputies has accused the Russian President Vladimir Putin of a “trivialisation and distortion of the historical facts of the Holocaust.”
In a statement on Monday the communal organisation said that alongside the UK Jewish community that had been “deeply affected by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the siege of Kyiv currently being undertaken by Russian forces.”
They added: “This senseless aggression flies in the face of justice and decency.
“We continue to both be inspired by the resolve of the Ukrainian people, and to pray for peace.”
But the Board also made apparent reference to Putin’s statement to the Russian people in which he claimed military actions were “for the demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine.”
The statement said: “We join the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem in condemning the ‘trivialisation and distortion of the historical facts of the Holocaust’ which have been used by Vladimir Putin and parroted across Russian propaganda.”
The Board repeated its earlier support for the support of the UK government’s “actions in helping the Ukrainian people to defend themselves, and the role Britain has played alongside other nations in ensuring that strong economic measures are brought to bear on the Russian regime. ”
It said it hoped that the authorities “will do everything possible to aid those seeking refuge while this crisis continues.”
The statement concluded: “Above all, our thoughts are with all those caught up in this conflict; the Ukrainian people, including many Ukrainian Jews.
“World Jewish Relief, the British Jewish community’s leading international humanitarian agency, has launched a Ukrainian Crisis Appeal, as has World ORT, which operates schools in Ukraine. We would urge all those who are able to donate towards these causes.”
Also Monday, the Jewish Leadership Council said they were “appalled” at the Russian military action and paid tribute to the work being done by its member organisations in Ukraine and the surrounding region.
“We are appalled at the Russian aggression against Ukrainian sovereignty and our prayers are with all those affected. We are proud that some of our members are supporting those impacted,” the JLC said in a statement.
Member organisations include World Jewish Relief, that has set up a Ukraine Crisis Appeal to provide food, cash, psychological support and material assistance and the Reform Movement, who are dedicating their Refugee Shabbat this week to be focused on supporting those fleeing Ukraine and the ever worsening situation in Afghanistan.
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