Ghosts of Babi Yar
Mark Davis, MD
Anti-semitism has reared
its ugly face once more in the Ukraine. Donetsk, a city in the eastern section
of the country, has become immersed in a World-wide controversy. Jewish worshipers
emerging from a synagogue claim they were given leaflets ordering them to
register with pro-Russian officials who have established a temporary presence
there. Refusing to register and pay a fee could lead to confiscation of
property and revocation of citizenship. Worse deportation to an unknown
destination was thrown into the mix of demands. These reports were verified by
Ynet News of Israel and Ukraine’s Dunbass news agency. Condemnation came quickly from many sources,
including Secretary of State John Kerry who noted: “this is beyond
unacceptable.” Chairman of the temporary government Denis Pushilin, whose name
appears on the document, denies any connection to these flyers. In order to complete registration the Jewish
community is being told to provide passports and other IDS along with religious
documents concerning certain family members. Evidence is also required to
established property ownership including motor vehicles. Could this be happening in a country that
witnessed genocide of its Jewish population in World War II. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/world/europe/efforts-to-register-jews-in-ukraine-are-denounced-and-denied.html?smprod=nytnow&_r=0
Babi Yar is a ravine in
the Ukrainian City of Kiev. During the Second World War over 33,000 members of
Kiev’s Jewish community were massacred over a 2 day period there. Germans claimed
the massacre, which occurred on September 29-30th in 1941, was in
retaliation for guerilla attacks on their forces. Indescribable in nature, the
slaughter displayed a level of hatred towards Jews that is so profound mere
words cannot flesh out the reality.
Turmoil caused by the clash between Ukrainian and Russian troops may
have brought these intrinsic hatreds to the surface. Denial of involvement was
quick from all the factions fighting for regional control. Anti-semitism did
not evaporate with the end of World War II, it went into hibernation for a few
months. Generations later anti-Semitism has had a resurgence across the globe.
Jews throughout history have been a default scapegoat when times were rough,
nothing has changed today. Memories of genocide have done little to quash
present day emotions harbored by those who continue to want the Jewish
population decimated. The events in
Ukraine may fade but the historical constants that instigated these latest
actions will linger for generations. “Never Again” has new meaning in the
context of these revelations. Unfortunately history recycles too often with
very harsh consequences to all it embraces. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/17/jews-ordered-to-register-in-east-ukraine/7816951/
Mark Davis, MD President
of Davis Book Reviews and Healthnets Review Services
www.healthnetsreviewservices.com platomd@gmail.com Dr. Davis’ latest book, Obamacare: Dead on
Arrival, A Prescription for Disaster
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