Letter: For More Democracy, Not Ethnic Hatred, in Ukraine

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To the Editor:

Re "Unease as an Opposition Party Stands Out in Ukraine's Protests" (news article, Dec. 17):

We support Ukraine's move toward a more democratic and open society, but the ultranationalist party Svoboda and its supporters who seek to inject xenophobia and ethnic hatred into a political discourse have no place in Ukraine.

As noted in the article, Svoboda has a long history of fomenting anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred in Ukraine. NCSJ has been urging the leaders of the major opposition parties not to align themselves with Svoboda.

The unexpected success of Svoboda in the last parliamentary elections and the acceptance of Svoboda by the leading opposition parties do not erase anti-Semitic statements by its leadership or antidemocratic tactics by its followers.

It does a disservice to the vast majority of Ukrainians on the streets, in the police and army, and in the government who are struggling to find a way forward that is inclusive, democratic and peaceful.

Xenophobia and anti-Semitism have no legitimate place in politics, and now is the time to ensure that Svoboda's influence does not grow.

MARK LEVIN
Washington, Dec. 17, 2013

The writer is executive director of NCSJ: Advocates on Behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States and Eurasia.

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