Zelensky on October 7: “The most brutal blow to the Jewish people since the Holocaust”

On October 7, on the third anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed condolences to the families of the victims and stated that every terrorist must be held accountable for their actions. He published the address on his official Facebook.

Author: Lev Varshavsky

Zelensky linked the commemorative date with what was happening in Ukraine on the same day. His address appeared as rescuers continued to clear destroyed homes and assist the wounded after a new massive Russian strike.

“Ukraine expresses condolences with special pain to everyone in Israel and other countries who lost loved ones due to the vile terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023,” the president stated. He specifically reminded that among the victims of the attack were Ukrainian citizens.

Zelensky called the October 7 attack the largest and most brutal strike against the Jewish people and civilization as such since the Holocaust. The president reminded of nearly 1,200 dead and hostages, including children and civilians, who fell into the hands of terrorists.

According to him, “there can be no forgiveness” for what happened, and every terrorist must be held accountable for their actions.

For the Israeli reader, another part of the statement is important. Zelensky did not limit himself to the events of October 7. He directly placed them in a broader context of manifestations of terror and aggressive wars based on hatred and urged not to forget them regardless of where they occur.

NANews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency had already reported on how a few days before the anniversary of October 7, Israeli Minister Zeev Elkin met with Jewish communities in Ukraine in Kyiv. During Elkin’s visit, the Ukrainian and Israeli sides also discussed common threats, particularly Iranian drone strike technologies that Russia uses against Ukraine.

Zelensky’s address on October 7 continued this line, but without diplomatic formulations.

“People deserve peace, security, and respect for life. It is important for world leaders, everyone who has real influence and power, to truly stand up for life when necessary,” stated the President of Ukraine.

And he concluded with a short phrase:

“Peace is definitely stronger than any terror.”