Israel claims that Russian backer is anti-Semitic


(MENAFN) Israel has strongly criticized Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for comments deemed anti-Semitic, following his assertion that a significant number of individuals implicated in corruption scandals in Belarus are Jewish. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz denounced Lukashenko's remarks as "unacceptable" and "outrageous," emphasizing their perceived anti-Semitic undertones.

The controversy erupted after Lukashenko, addressing a government meeting in Minsk, reportedly stated that more than half of those involved in a corruption case were Jewish. He questioned whether Jewish individuals held privileged roles that allowed them to engage in corruption without considering the consequences, while emphasizing the need for equality among all Belarusian citizens, regardless of ethnicity.

In response, Katz expressed Israel's strong disapproval, labeling Lukashenko's comments as blatantly anti-Semitic. He disclosed that Yuval Fuchs, head of the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s Eurasia bureau, had formally lodged a complaint with the Belarusian ambassador to Israel regarding the incident.

The context of Lukashenko's remarks centered on a corruption scandal involving former Agriculture Minister Igor Brylo and numerous other suspects. Brylo, previously appointed as Lukashenko's presidential aide and inspector for Vitebsk Region, was reportedly removed from his position due to allegations linked to a corruption scheme within Belarus's dairy industry.

The fallout from Lukashenko's comments underscores heightened sensitivities around anti-Semitic rhetoric globally and the implications for international relations, particularly concerning Belarus-Israel relations. The incident has sparked condemnation from Israeli officials and calls for accountability, highlighting ongoing concerns over discrimination and prejudice based on ethnicity or religion in public discourse.

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