Ukrainian capital Kiev, the Voice of America (VOA) reported Sunday April 14. The latest incident came as police in neighboring Russia remained on high alert for possible attacks by skinhead groups there. VOA quoted Jewish leaders in Ukraine as saying that about 50 young people attacked worshippers who were leaving the synagogue after evening prayers Saturday, April 13.
Several people were beaten in the attack, including one rabbi who was thrown to the ground, and about 20 windows were broken. The head of the synagogue, Moshe Asmman, linked the incident to the Israeli offensive against Palestinians, which has led to attacks against Jewish targets elsewhere in Europe.
HOOLIGANISM
But Ukrainian police say the attack was an act of hooliganism by a group of young football fans on their way home from a game. Eight youths were arrested, VOA said. Meanwhile in Russia, police are on alert for possible attacks against foreigners by ultra-right-wing skinhead groups.
The embassies of various countries, including the United States and Japan, have received an e-mail message saying that foreigners will be assaulted and even killed. This message linked the threat to the upcoming anniversary of Adolf Hitler’s birthday on April 20, a date when neo-Nazi groups are active.
Moscow police official Sergei Shevtsov said the threat should not be underestimated, adding that special security measures will be taken. VOA reported that racist attacks have become common in Russia in recent years, especially in Moscow. Citizens of Madagascar and Kenya have been attacked recently in the city.
EMBASSIES THREATENED
Last October, three foreign nationals, including an Indian and an Afghan, died when about 300 skinheads attacked a Moscow market. Several embassies have advised their citizens to be vigilant and avoid public gatherings where skinheads might congregate.
A wave of anti-Semitism is also believed to be a main reason why hundreds of thousands of Jewish people from across the former Soviet Union left for Israel soon after the collapse of Communism from .
Eastern European Jewish leaders have expressed concern about nationalism in several other ex-Communist countries as well, including Hungary. On Saturday an estimated 500,000 Hungarians took to the streets for a rally that was supported by the ultra right wing Hungarian Justice and Life Party MIEP.
People refusing MIEP banners were called "dirty Jew" and graffiti was spotted on several buildings. Police sources have said the crowd may have been 1.5 million.
CONCERN
Former Hungarian President Arpad Goncz has expressed his concern about what he sees as a "polarization" between the right wing and left wing in the country, with people not greeting each other. On Sunday opposition parties organized what appeared to be a counter meeting in Budapest, which was attended by several thousand people.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has been accused of making compromises to the opposition, said the latest developments show that Hungary is increasingly becoming a Western country.
However there is concern among leaders of Hungary’s estimated 100,000 strong Jewish community about nationalism, as the country prepares for the second and final round of Parliamentary elections on April 21.
Nevertheless several church leaders have advised their congregations to vote for Prime Minister Orban, who they see as a man of family values and Christian traditions.
