Groups says antisemitism not a factor in Ukraine’s elections

The National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit group dedicated to empowering and ensuring the security of Jews in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, has noted that antisemitism is not a factor in Ukraine’s upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for Oct. 26, 2014. In an Oct. 23, 2014 report, the group noted:

“Antisemitism in Ukraine has not grown; unlike in previous elections, antisemitism is not being used as an electoral tactic, even though Jewish candidates are participating in the elections.

Ukraine's Jewish community has taken a very pro-Ukrainian position, and ultranationalists (who generally are very anti-Russian) are not targeting Jews. The latest polls suggest that support for traditional nationalist parties such as Svoboda is declining, and they are unlikely to clear a 5% threshold for representation in the Rada.

However, populist and confrontational personalities such as Oleh Lyashko, the leader of the Radical Party of Ukraine, have seen their popularity rise. Concerns have been raised by Amnesty International and other international observers about the party's ties with ultranationalist individuals and groups.

The Jewish community representatives NCSEJ spoke with expressed a high interest in participating in the Sunday elections, and said that they hope for the victory of democratic and pro-reform political forces in Ukraine, as does the Ukrainian population as a whole.”

The group’s reports on Ukraine and other countries in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe can be found at http://www.ncsej.org/