In visit to country, Rivlin says Ukraine becoming ‘beacon of democratic values’
President marks 75 years since Babi Yar massacre in speech to parliament
KIEV – The world must not commit the crime of forgetting, President Reuven Rivlin told the Ukrainian parliament in a speech marking 75 years since the Babi Yar massacre.
“The sin of extermination has already been done, we can’t bring the dead back to life,” he said. “But we must not be partners in the second sin. We must not take part in the sin of forgetting, of forgetting and denying.”
Rivlin’s address to parliament followed a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Petro Poroshenko, at the president’s residence in Kiev. Rivlin opened both his address to parliament and his statement following the meeting with Poroshenko, with remarks regarding news of the deteriorating health of former president Shimon Peres.
“We send from here our prayers to my predecessor. Today our ninth president is fighting for his life,” he said. “As president he was a very good friend of the Ukrainian people. During his latest visit he worked to strengthen mutual ties between the people and to promote friendship between us. In the name of the Israeli people and all those who love him around the world we send prayers for his health.”
Both presidents lauded almost 25 years of diplomatic ties between their two countries, and referred to expanding cooperation in various fields, including trade, tourism and agriculture.
“Ukraine is going through many positive changes, becoming a beacon of democratic values. These are values which also lead the democratic state of Israel. I see this visit as an opportunity to strengthen the ties between the two nations,” Rivlin said.
“Your visit, for us, special significant Poroshenko is of character,” told Rivlin. “Occurring on a year which is very special for Israel-Ukraine relations, 25 years of diplomatic relations. In our years of friendship we have built special relations between our nations, presidents and countries.” Poroshenko expressed hope that progress would be made in coming years on the matter of free trade between Israel and Ukraine.
Turning to the Babi Yar commemoration, Poroshenko expressed gratitude to his Israeli partners “for joining us to mark this tragic page in Ukrainian history.” The comments followed what he described as a frank and open conversation on complex issues.
Yesterday was the first full day of Rivlin’s four-day state visit to Ukraine. He has also been scheduled to visit Jewish heritage sites in Odessa, as well as hold meetings with world and Jewish leaders in the region. The primary purpose of the visit is to commemorate Babi Yar, in which more than a 100,000 people – Jews, Roma, and political prisoners alike – were killed by Nazi forces and their collaborators. Of the dead, more than 33,000 were Jews.