Religious Studies Expert on Anti-Semitism and Maidan

Attempts to discredit Maidan by claiming it is anti-Semitic is a provocation organized not from below, but according to a definite plan, believes religious studies expert, Professor Ludmyla Fylypovych.

“This provocation is not an initiative from below, it is part of some plan. The hostile side of Maidan, as is easily seen, is constantly engaged in endless provocations. Ukrainians, however unpleasant it may be to say, are a bit lazy. For such a campaign people need to convene, plan, go and catch Jews, beat them – Ukrainians do not think this way. Only people who are trained in this do,” says Fylypovych.

She said that this plan cannot be called successful because the people perceived the events critically and immediately statements appeared from both sides on the fact that it is clearly a provocation. Fylypovych emphasizes that the purpose of such actions may be to sow fear, which has been partially successfully because Jews have to be careful now.

“This is a very old topic, and it is known that the relations between the Ukrainian and Jewish communities in the country, which was part of various states, were very complicated. Something even at the level of the archetype. But I want to say that Ukrainians fight against negative stereotypes very successfully. Because all conscious Ukrainians realize that they should be on friendly terms with them. Jews have things that are not present in other nationalities,” the expert adds.

Ludmyla Fylypovych described the advantages of the consciousness of the Jewish people, about their ability to learn everything and always, about not fearing new systems of thought and life.

“On Maidan are people who think of their dignity, which does prevents violent actions against another person. Therefore, this campaign has not had the effect that the organizers had hoped for,” she said.

In January, in one week, there were two planned attacks on Jewish people. However, the vice president of the World Jewish Congress and chairman of the Association of Jewish Organizations and Communities (Vaad) of Ukraine Joseph Zissels said that Maidan was not involved in this violence, but that the government ordered it.

In response, the community of Maidan volunteered to guard all synagogues in the capital to protect visitors from similar attacks.