A high-profile anti-Semitic attack took place near a local synagogue in the Obolonskyi district of Kyiv. At the end of Shabbat, a group of young men approached the building of the religious community, demonstrating a Nazi salute and shouting offensive slogans. The incident caused outrage in the Jewish community and concern in society.
One of the believers, seeing the aggressive behavior of the unknown men, went out to them. However, the attackers, noticing his traditional attire with a kippah and tzitzit, used tear gas from two canisters. The victim suffered burns to his eyes and skin, after which the attackers quickly fled the scene.
Representatives of the Kyiv Jewish community said the incident was not accidental. The day before, the same young men had already appeared near the synagogue, shouting anti-Semitic remarks and demonstrating a Nazi salute in the presence of the rabbi. The community called what happened a "planned and cruel act of hatred."
The police have launched an investigation and are identifying those involved in the attack. The legal qualification of the crime, which may be considered a violation of the rights to freedom of religion and incitement to hatred, is currently being determined. The community calls on law enforcement to act decisively to prevent such incidents from happening again.
The incident in the Obolon synagogue has caused concern not only among believers, but also among the entire society, as such manifestations of hatred contradict the values of tolerance and respect. In times of war, when Ukrainians stand for unity and humanity, every act of aggression on religious grounds becomes a particularly dangerous signal.
