Citing “highly alarming press reports” from eastern Ukraine, Rep. Nita Lowey asked Secretary of State John Kerry to protect Jewish citizens in Donestk who are reportedly being ordered to “register” with pro-Russian militants.
“I understand anyone refusing to comply could be stripped of their citizenship and possibly face the loss of their property,” the New York Democrat told Mr. Kerry in a letter. “This is an unacceptable escalation of the crisis in Ukraine and cause for both grave concern and immediate action.”
She said she commended a joint statement issued Thursday by the United States, European Union, Russia and Ukraine that condemns anti-Semitism and extremism, but urged Mr. Kerry to use his position to defuse the situation because it “reeks of age-old anti-Semitic policies.”
“All of the parties involved in the ongoing crisis in Ukraine must understand in no uncertain terms that the world community will not tolerate such contemptible and atrocious behavior,” Ms. Lowey said. “I urge you to do everything possible to ensure that Jewish and other minority communities throughout the country are protected from any form of prejudice.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.