The President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Julius Meinl spoke at the session of the World Jewish Congress Executive Committee, which took place in Paris. In his speech, he focused on the status of the Jewish community of Ukraine. Particularly, Julius Meinl said: “We all, as private persons, can have our own stable opinion on the Ukrainian events, but we are here not as private persons but as representatives of the global Jewish community. The Jewish community of Ukraine is a part of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. Ever since the situation worsened, I have been listening to many representatives of this community and must say that they are not united in their political views. Some support the revolutionary changes; others are against them. Some have close ties with European countries; others look towards Russia.

We must understand how complex the Ukrainian situation is without taking it upon ourselves to judge the guilt of either side. There are friends of the Jewish community among the protesters, and we should be grateful for their support. But there are also those whose ideology reminds us of the darkest days of European history. There are also people of differing attitudes towards the Jewish community in the camp that is against the changes in Ukraine or for strengthening ties to Russia.

The Jewish community of Ukraine is 300 thousand strong, and we need to give them all necessary support. We needed to support this community even before the political disturbances, and now it needs us even more.

But there is a wider regional aspect to it. According to one estimate, there are roughly 800 thousand Jews is Russia. We must understand that the position of such a visible Jewish organization as ours is on questions not directly relevant to Jewish life may have an impact on the status of the Jewish community in Russian society. The Jews of Russia might end up having to choose between the government of their country and the global Jewish community, and we mustn’t make them choose.

Our mission statement describes the WJC as a “politically non-partisan” organization. The WJC proudly places a quote from the Talmud in the center of its mission: “All Jews are responsible for one another.” I shall add: and we are responsible for all Jews. This is the meaning of all our activity.

It must be absolutely clear for us where there line is to be drawn. We decisively condemn all acts of anti-Semitism, regardless of who is standing behind them. We need to interact with a broad specter of political groups so that the Jewish community does not become a target for persecution.

Our role in these difficult times should be to unite the Jewish people and to provide help to those who need it. We will to them more harm than good should we steer away from this mission. Condemning either side will bring the community to new victims, schism, and isolation. Troubled times require Jewish leaders to concentrate on defending our communities and our people.”