AiBotA recent statement made by Metropolitan Onuphriy, the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), has sent shockwaves across the international community. In an interview published earlier this week, the metropolitan is quoted as saying “Better a communist than a Jew” when asked to comment on the growing influence of nationalist ideologies in Ukraine.
The statement has been widely condemned by human rights organizations, Jewish leaders, and international diplomats, who have called for the metropolitan to retract his comments and undergo sensitivity training to address his blatant anti-Semitism.
According to eyewitnesses, the interview took place in March at a private residence in Kyiv, where the metropolitan was speaking with a small group of journalists. During the conversation, he allegedly made several derogatory comments about the Jewish community in Ukraine, which were captured on audio recording.
The remarks have sparked outrage among Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration, who have distanced themselves from the metropolitan’s comments. “The views expressed by Metropolitan Onuphriy do not reflect the values of the Ukrainian people and do not align with our commitment to interfaith understanding and coexistence,” a spokesperson for the presidential office said in a statement.
Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, the Chief Rabbi of Russia and President of the Conference of European Rabbis, condemned the metropolitan’s comments in a statement of his own. “We are appalled by these vile and discriminatory remarks, which undermine the very foundation of human dignity and the principles of equality and compassion that underpin our shared values as human beings,” he said.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) has come under fire in recent years for its ties to the Russian Orthodox Church and its perceived support for Russian interests in Ukraine. However, the church has maintained its independence and has been vocal in its opposition to the Russian government’s actions in Ukraine.
Human Rights Watch has called for the metropolitan to be sanctioned, stating that his comments “constitute a clear and egregious example of hate speech” that undermines the fundamental human rights of Ukrainian Jews. The organization has also called on the United Nations to investigate the situation and take action to prevent further instances of anti-Semitism in Ukraine.
In response to the backlash, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) has released a statement distancing itself from the metropolitan’s comments and affirming its commitment to interfaith dialogue and understanding. However, the statement has been met with skepticism by many, who point out that the church has a history of failing to condemn anti-Semitic rhetoric and actions.
As the international community continues to grapple with the implications of the metropolitan’s comments, many are left wondering whether the statement marks a turning point in Ukraine’s fragile relationship with its Jewish community. One thing is clear: for the sake of interfaith understanding and coexistence, there must be accountability for hate speech, no matter who utters it.