On the day of the 79th anniversary of the mass execution of civilians by the Nazis in Kyiv, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, along with the leadership of the Ukrainian government, honored the memory of the victims of the Babyn Yar tragedy.
The ceremony was also attended by Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Dmytro Razumkov, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak.
Also in attendance was the Chairman of the Jewish Communities, Rabbi Meir Stambler.
Vice-Chairman Rabbi Rafael Rutman was honored with reading a chapter of Psalms and the Kel Moleh Rachamim prayer.
Each of the attendees lit a candle in memory of those who were murdered there.
“Executed in Babyn Yar are thousands of destroyed human fates. Thousands of families that have been exterminated. Thousands of fearful children’s eyes that do not understand that they are being led to death. These are thousands of reminders to humanity of xenophobia, racism, and intolerance. And thousands of pieces of evidence that, contrary to science, show that not all people have a heart,” the President of Ukraine said.
“We bow our heads to all the victims of Babyn Yar. And we have no right to forget these terrible crimes. Never again,” Volodymyr Zelensky stressed.
Rabbi Meir Stambler thanked the Government of Ukraine and all those present for attending the event, thereby giving honor to the dead and also the living.
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