The Anatomy of a Pogrom

Chances are you’ve seen the videos that capture a thousand-strong mob break through the doors leading into the gleaming terminal of the Makhachkala International Airport in Russia’s Northern Caucasus region of Dagestan this past Sunday. 

Stones are hurled at locked airplanes and at security guards as militants run up and down the runways, stopping cars—even police cars—that are trying to leave the scene.

 The reason for this commotion?

The reported presence of Jews, Israelis even, a planeload of them. Make no mistake about these images: they constitute unequivocal documentation of a genuine pogrom.

Yes, pogroms seem to have reemerged after a century in history’s dustbin. In a commentary published online by Moment Magazine UCSJ Executive Director Anastasia Aseeva and I present the anatomy of a modern-day pogrom and place it in proper historical context.

I am Paul Goldberg. I am a journalist, a novelist—and the just-elected president of UCSJ. 

As unspeakable evil makes a comeback, the international human rights community—including UCSJ—has the duty to stand up and defend human dignity, the rule of law, and religious freedom. We invite you to join us in this struggle.

Looking at the situation in those countries that comprised the Soviet Union, Ukraine is the place where we see the greatest opportunity to do good. There, we will concentrate on five areas of activities:

 1.     Human rights law anti-corruption law. We must work with organizations on the ground to provide legal education focused on human rights anti-corruption law. 

2.     We will continue to offer direct assistance as we operate a soup kitchen in Lviv. We should also expand this mission through collaboration with other groups that focus on food issues in war and natural disaster-afflicted areas. 

3.     Preservation of Jewish historic legacy sites. Our litigation to preserve the Jewish cemetery in Lviv must continue. We should explore other such opportunities to be helpful. 

4.     We should offer direct assistance to Ukrainian physicians receiving training in the US. At the outset, we will help oncologists, but will expand to other specialties.

5.     We must continue monitoring of antisemitism and activities of hate groups in the former Soviet Union and we must continue our Washington lobbying work, building on the achievements of the Magnitsky bill, which we spearheaded. 

UCSJ should be a voice that is heard—and sought out by the media—on issues that involve human rights, antisemitism, anticorruption law, pro-democracy movements, direct aid to those in need, and protection of Jewish historical legacy. As you can see in the Moment piece, this has begun. 

You will be hearing more from us in the coming weeks.

 I ask that you keep us in mind in your giving.  

Sincerely,

Paul Goldberg

President

UCSJ