In a dramatic development this week, likely to add another level of uncertainty to the turbulent situation in Ukraine, President Petro Poroshenko dismissed Ihor Kolomoisky from his position as governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Please see NCSEJ's
Ukraine Update #65 for analysis and reaction from Ukraine's Jewish community. In addition, the update includes several stories that analyze this development.
Earlier this week, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives announced the formation of a new "Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism," which will educate members of Congress on the threat of anti-Semitism and will work to minimize anti-Semitism worldwide. NCSEJ commends the decision and looks forward to working with the taskforce.
On Sunday, radical right-wing political organizations from Europe and the United States held the first ever International Russian Conservative Forum in Saint Petersburg. Russia's nationalistic party Rodina (Motherland) was the main organizer of the conference. During the event, participants praised President Vladimir Putin for his commitment to traditional values and his model of governance, which in recent months has been gaining popularity among right-wing parties in Europe and elsewhere.
Finally, I would like to highlight a New York Times article that outlines the growing challenges confronting Ukraine. NCSEJ will continue to monitor developments there, and after the Passover holidays will report on the Passover celebrations in the countries of the former Soviet Union.
Sincerely,
