Ukraine president tells the BBC that the Russian leader who said Zelensky was a disgrace to the Jewish people and supports neo-Nazis, does not understand his own words.
Ynet reports that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of severe antisemitism in an interview with the BBC.
Zelensky was asked about comments made by Putin last week, claiming his "Jewish friends," told him that the Ukrainian president was not really Jewish and was a disgrace to the Jewish people.
Before responding to a question posed by the interviewer, Zelensky took a deep breath. "It's like he doesn't fully understand his words. Apologies, but it's like he is the second king of antisemitism after Hitler.
This is a president speaking. A civilized world cannot speak that way. But it was important for me to hear the reaction of the world and I am grateful for the support," Zelensky said adding Israel did not condemn the Russian president's remarks.
Members of Zelensky's family perished in the Holocaust including his grandfather. Ukrian's Ambassador to Israel Yevgeny Kornichuk said the comments were intended as provocation.
"We need to take into account that Putin is attempting to undermine relations between Israel and Ukraine ahead of the visit of President Zelensky's wife to Israel, intentionally making these statements prior to Saturday, which is a holy day for Jews,” he said. The government led by Benjamin Netanyahu has been far less willing to express criticism of the Russian leader than its predecessor.
Source - Ynet/Twitter - Image - Reuters