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Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman is the chief rabbi of the Brodsky Synagogue in Kyiv. He just lately made an impassioned video handle by 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 carry 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 army operation in Ukraine. What’s your response?
Moshe Reuven Azman: In opposition to whom is that this “denazification” directed? In opposition to President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy, who’s Jewish? Or in opposition to opposition chief [Vadim] Rabinovich? Solely any person who has been brainwashed by tv, which spreads all kinds of nonsense, might consider such garbage. There isn’t any Nazism in Ukraine; there aren’t even any nationalist events in parliament. No regular individual 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 is a signal! I believe it was a warning from above about the place this warfare could lead on. Thank God there haven’t been any punitive operations but, however simply the truth that peaceable residents are being shot at, and vehicles 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 folks, the entire world, in opposition to them. At this time, everyone seems to be praying each for Ukrainians and for Jews. We’ve all turn into victims of the identical tragedy. That’s the reason I’ll proceed to ask for prayers and for protests. I ask you to do every part in your energy. I’ve already instructed the Jews of Russia that they need to do that. I understand 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. However I used to be not afraid. Due to my actions, I used to be delivered to the KGB to be interrogated. Now once more, everybody should resolve for themselves whether or not they wish 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 folks on whom the result of this warfare relies upon. I used to be not studying a textual content. I reminded them that they could not simply sit in entrance of their TVs and grin, that they must bear accountability for what is occurring, with their tacit or non-tacit consent.
The memorial at Babi Yar in Kyiv was affected by a Russian assault on the close by tv tower
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 happening 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 am instructed that I’ve given robust emotional assist to folks right here on the bottom.
What’s of most concern to the Jewish neighborhood in Ukraine now?
We’ve arrange a name middle to take calls from folks in want of assist. We’re organizing buses to take folks to security in Israel and Europe. Jewish males who’re eligible for conscription really feel the necessity to defend Ukraine. They are going to warfare, becoming a member of the military or territorial protection forces.
I obtain 1000’s of messages each day. We’re attempting to save lots of folks. We’re bringing meals and drugs to folks. There are lots of aged individuals who can’t transfer on their very own or are bedridden, together with individuals who miraculously escaped the Holocaust throughout World Struggle II, and have now been compelled to flee Luhansk and different cities in Donbas. That is the third and even fourth time of their lives. They’re shocked that the Russian military, which as soon as beat the Nazis, is now bombing them, destroying their properties and killing peaceable Ukrainians.
This interview was performed in Ukrainian.
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