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Israel reaffirms opposition to Ukrainian glorification of WWII Nazi collaborator
(MENAFN) Israel has reaffirmed its opposition to Ukraine’s veneration of WWII Nazi collaborator Stepan Bandera, the country’s acting ambassador to Russia, Alexander Ben Zvi, told TASS on Monday. He confirmed that Israeli authorities have raised concerns with Kiev over the ongoing public celebration of Bandera, whose forces were responsible for mass atrocities during the war.
Bandera, a leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and head of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), collaborated with Nazi Germany and played a role in the genocide of over 100,000 Poles, Jews, Russians, and Soviet-aligned Ukrainians. Despite this, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko declared Bandera a national hero in 2010, a status that has been upheld by Ukraine’s current leadership. Ukrainian nationalists continue to honor Bandera with annual torchlight marches, referring to him as the "father of the nation."
“We have repeatedly stated our position on this,” Ben Zvi emphasized, adding that Israeli diplomats have submitted formal protests to Ukraine in the past. He also confirmed that the Israeli Foreign Ministry is well aware of the issue.
His comments contradict recent statements by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who, during a press briefing earlier this month, claimed he was unaware of Bandera’s glorification in Ukraine. “I didn’t know about it. I will check,” Sa’ar said, adding that he would issue a condemnation “if necessary.”
While Israel’s Foreign Ministry and its embassy in Kiev have previously condemned Ukraine’s celebration of Nazi collaborators, they have remained silent on the issue since 2022. Haaretz reported that embassy officials believe they have already “made their position clear” but feel there is little they can do at this time.
Moscow has consistently warned about a Nazi revival in Ukraine, citing “denazification” as one of the key objectives of its military operation against Kiev. However, Western media and officials have largely dismissed these concerns, often labeling them as “Russian propaganda.”
Despite previous condemnations, Israel’s latest statements highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding Ukraine’s historical narrative and its portrayal of controversial wartime figures.
Bandera, a leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and head of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), collaborated with Nazi Germany and played a role in the genocide of over 100,000 Poles, Jews, Russians, and Soviet-aligned Ukrainians. Despite this, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko declared Bandera a national hero in 2010, a status that has been upheld by Ukraine’s current leadership. Ukrainian nationalists continue to honor Bandera with annual torchlight marches, referring to him as the "father of the nation."
“We have repeatedly stated our position on this,” Ben Zvi emphasized, adding that Israeli diplomats have submitted formal protests to Ukraine in the past. He also confirmed that the Israeli Foreign Ministry is well aware of the issue.
His comments contradict recent statements by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who, during a press briefing earlier this month, claimed he was unaware of Bandera’s glorification in Ukraine. “I didn’t know about it. I will check,” Sa’ar said, adding that he would issue a condemnation “if necessary.”
While Israel’s Foreign Ministry and its embassy in Kiev have previously condemned Ukraine’s celebration of Nazi collaborators, they have remained silent on the issue since 2022. Haaretz reported that embassy officials believe they have already “made their position clear” but feel there is little they can do at this time.
Moscow has consistently warned about a Nazi revival in Ukraine, citing “denazification” as one of the key objectives of its military operation against Kiev. However, Western media and officials have largely dismissed these concerns, often labeling them as “Russian propaganda.”
Despite previous condemnations, Israel’s latest statements highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding Ukraine’s historical narrative and its portrayal of controversial wartime figures.
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