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Ukraine’s Foreign Minister condemns toppling of Kiev Menorah in anti-Semitic incident

Andrey Rachkov filmed himself toppling the giant menorah on Dec. 10, apparently motivated by his anti-Semitic and anti-Israel ideology, Ukrainian news outlet Zik reported.

By Benjamin Kerstein, Algemeiner

The Foreign Minister of Ukraine on Sunday strongly condemned the toppling of a menorah last week in the capital city of Kiev, saying there is “no place for anti-Semitism” in Ukraine.

Andrey Rachkov filmed himself toppling the giant menorah on Dec. 10, apparently motivated by his anti-Semitic and anti-Israel ideology, Ukrainian news outlet Zik reported.

In the video, posted on social media, Rachkov said the vandalism was “how you need to handle strangers engaged in the usurpation of power, occupation of territories, genocide.” He has been charged with hooliganism and could face up to five years in prison.

Rachkov apparently attempted to topple a second menorah on Dec. 11, but was unable to do so because it was bolted to the ground.

The United Jewish Community of Ukraine said it considers Rachkov’s “actions and statements to be anti-Semitism and calls on law enforcement agencies to investigate objectively.”

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated on Twitter, “I condemn in strongest terms Thursday’s brutal attack on a Jewish Menorah in Kyiv.”

“I welcome the swift reaction by law enforcement agencies identifying the perpetrator,” he added. “He now faces criminal charges and I’m convinced justice will be served.”

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“No place for anti-Semitism in Ukraine,” he asserted.