Kyiv’s Chief Rabbi Appeals to Netanyahu: “Prevent Harm to Synagogues”
The letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was sent following repeated attacks by the Russian military in recent weeks on Jewish institutions. Just this past week, the Russian army shelled a Jewish cemetery in Kharkiv. “The holy places of the Jewish people are not a battlefield,” said Kyiv’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Yonatan Markowitz • Read More
Following a series of Russian strikes that have damaged holy sites and Jewish institutions across Ukraine in recent weeks, the Chief Rabbi of Kyiv, Rabbi Yonatan Markowitz, has appealed to the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu — to speak with with Russian President Vladimir Putin — urging him to use his influence to halt the attacks on Jewish sacred sites in Ukraine.
In the letter, which was also sent in copy to Israel’s Chief Rabbis, Rabbi Markowitz writes:
“Since the outbreak of the horrific war in Ukraine, we have sadly witnessed repeated incidents of damage to synagogues and Jewish institutions.” Just last week, a Russian missile hit the Jewish cemetery in Kharkiv, and similar incidents have occurred at other cemeteries as well.
The Chief Rabbi of Kyiv details that major synagogues have also been targeted in recent months:
“Missiles were fired at a synagogue in Kyiv and at the central synagogue in Kherson, causing significant property damage.” According to him, the situation could have ended in a terrible tragedy:
“The Jewish school in Kyiv, Or Avner Chabad Perlina, suffered serious damage about a year ago, and by Divine mercy, loss of life was avoided.”
Rabbi Markowitz asks the Prime Minister to intervene personally in the matter:
“As the head of the Jewish state, who maintains a direct channel with the Russian leadership, I ask that you use your full influence, with a clear and unequivocal demand that Jewish holy sites be protected.” He adds that Russia must “prevent any future harm to these sites, in accordance with international norms and with the respect owed to the Jewish religion and its institutions.”
Kyiv’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Yonatan Markowitz, stated:
“The attacks on Jewish institutions have become a worrying phenomenon, and we expect the Prime Minister of Israel to stand with us in a strong and clear voice. Religious sites are not a war zone and must remain outside the scope of fighting.”
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