- October 6, 2024
- 8:16 pm
- Ukraine
On October 6, 2024, Israeli Minister of Culture Miki Zohar visited Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian Minister of Culture Nikolai Tochitsky. During the visit, both ministers paid tribute to the victims of Babyn Yar by lighting candles as a sign of grief.
The Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine spoke about this Michael Brodsky.
The meeting was also part of a dialogue to strengthen cultural ties between Ukraine and Israel, especially against the backdrop of Russian aggression against Ukraine.
The visit highlights Israel's continued support for Ukraine despite difficulties in diplomatic relations caused by various aspects of the war.
Miki Zohar – Israeli politician, close associate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, party member Likud. He is known as one of Netanyahu's key supporters in the Knesset and actively supports him on all issues.
Miki Zohar, Israel's Minister of Culture and Sports, had already visited Ukraine earlier, in May 2023. Then he visited Uman, a place of pilgrimage for Hasidim, where the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav is located. This visit was significant for strengthening ties between Ukraine and Israel, especially in the cultural and historical spheres. The Zohar announced that Yad Vashem will begin translating its materials into Ukrainian, which is important for preserving the memory of the Holocaust and strengthening cultural ties between the two peoples. He also emphasized the need to maintain Jewish heritage in Ukraine.
The visit of Israeli Minister of Culture Mika Zohar to Kyiv on October 6, 2024 has several important aspects. First, this visit demonstrates Israel's support for Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. Although Israel has maintained a low profile on direct military assistance to Ukraine, cultural interactions and diplomatic visits indicate Israel's willingness to strengthen ties with Ukraine.
Secondly, joint veneration of the memory of the victims of Babyn Yar is a symbolic gesture emphasizing the historical mutual understanding between the peoples of Ukraine and Israel. Babi Yar is one of the most tragic sites associated with the Holocaust and World War II, and this event reinforces the importance of remembering the victims of war and crimes against humanity. Such acts strengthen cultural and historical ties between countries.
Finally, the visit comes at a time when the world's attention is focused on the war in Ukraine. This gesture symbolizes not only cultural, but also political interaction, which can influence the perception of international support for Ukraine.
Thus, Minister Zohar's visit serves as an important signal of strengthening cultural and diplomatic interaction between Israel and Ukraine against the backdrop of current global challenges.
