Ukrainian President gives up seats at Holocaust event for survivors
Yad Vashem criticized Zelensky's decision.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFUkranian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits the Western Wall on January 23, 2020.(photo credit: WESTERN WALL HERITAGE FOUNDATION)
Ukrainian president gives up seats at Holocaust event for survivorsYad Vashem criticizes Zelensky’s decision• Jerusalem Post StaffUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that he and his country’s delegation had given their seats at the Fifth World Holocaust Forum in Yad Vashem to Holocaust survivors.He wrote on his Facebook account that he and the delegation would participate in all planned activities but that seats at the main event should go to those who deserve them the most.Yad Vashem criticized Zelensky’s decision. In a statement, the Holocaust Remembrance Center said it had told Zelensky the survivors contacted in previous days had already responded and that it would not be possible to contact others.“His decision is puzzling, and it is a pity to take such a step in an event called ‘Remember the Holocaust to fight antisemitism,’” the statement said.Cabinet ministers Ze’ev Elkin, Ofir Akunis, Yifat Shasha-Biton, Rafi Peretz, Tzachi Hanegbi and Amir Ohana also gave up their seats, as did Cabinet Secretary Tzachi Braverman and Prime Minister’s Office interim director-general Ronan Peretz.
