Behind the Headlines Nazi Collaborator Case Unites Jews, Ukrainians in Cleveland

This city’s Ukrainian and Jewish communities affirmed this week their shared interest in bringing to justice any and all persons who participated in genocide or other crimes against humanity and, in recognition of their common sufferings under both the Nazi and Soviet regimes, pledged to work together on issues of mutual concern, among which is the violation of human rights in the USSR.

Those sentiments were embodied in a lengthy statement issued here jointly by the United Ukrainian Organization of Greater Cleveland and the Jewish Community Federation (JCF) of Cleveland. The document was released before Federal Judge Frank Battisti handed down his ruling on June 25 that the citizenship of Ukrainian-born John Demjanjuk be “revoked, vacated and cancelled” because the 60 year-old automobile worker had lied about his Nazi activities in World War II when he applied for naturalization in the U.S. in 1958.

The trial of Demjanjuk, who now faces deportation proceedings, aroused fierce emotions among local Jews, many of them Holocaust survivors, and the large Ukrainian community, when it opened last February. The Ukrainians supported Demjanjuk’s contention that he was the innocent victim of Soviet-inspired persecution. In face of overwhelming evidence that he had participated in atrocities against Jews and others while serving as a guard in Treblinka and Sobibor death camps, the Jewish community demanded that Demjanjuk be brought to justice, however belatedly. A violent confrontation between Ukrainian and Jewish demonstrators was narrowly avoided.

Lawrence Williams, president of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland, spoke Tuesday of Judge Battisti’s decision and of the joint statement by the Jewish and Ukrainian community leaders that had preceded it.

JEWS REPORT COOPERATION WITH UKRAINIAN GROUP

“For the past several months the trial of John Demjanjuk has been a particular focal point for the Cleveland Jewish community,” Williams said. “The Jewish Community Federation had urged that the defendant be tried as quickly as possible to determine his guilt or innocence. We are gratified that a decision has now been rendered.”

Williams disclosed that “Representatives of the United Ukrainian Organization and the Jewish Community Federation have been working closely for the last several months to develop a joint statement which we believe has opened new doors for communication between our two communities. Through these contacts, we have gained considerable insight into Ukrainian history and suffering. We strongly reaffirm that the trial of John Demjanjuk relates only to the conduct of a single person — not the actions of the entire Ukrainian nation. We recall that many leading Ukrainians, such as Metropolitan Andrew Szeptycky, the Archbishop of Lviv, risked their own lives and freedom to save Jews.

“We hope now that the decision has been rendered, that our two communities will work together even more effectively on issues of common concern, such as the violation of human rights in the Soviet Union and the need for the revitalization of our city of Cleveland,” Williams said.

The statement noted among the issues “of particular concern to our separate communities” the desire of the Ukrainian community to achieve the independence of Ukraine and the struggle of the Jewish community on behalf of Soviet Jewish emigration.

STATEMENT LINKS JEWISH AND UKRAINIAN VICTIMS

It observed that “The tragic events which have affected each of our peoples is self-evident. The Holocaust … destroyed millions of Jews and represents barbarism and brutality of overwhelming proportion in human history — a fact recognized by the Ukrainian community which also suffered great human losses at the hands of the Nazis.

“Ukrainians have also been the victims of Soviet crimes against humanity … The Jewish community can well understand the magnitude of Ukrainian suffering at the hands of the Soviet Union which is today the tormentor of Soviet Jews and a major adversary of the State of Israel in the international arena,” the statement said.

“Both the Jewish Community Federation and the United Ukrainian Organizations now stand together in demanding justice — appropriate legal action against all who participate in acts of genocide and crimes against humanity. Both of our organizations agree that there must be no statute of limitations on these crimes, whether they were committed in times of war or peace. Together, we reject the efforts of those who would use fear, hatred and prejudice to divide and weaken our communities. Neo-Nazi attempts to stir up religious and ethnic hatred in our community is an affront to the memory of Ukrainians and Jews who died at the hands of the Nazis. Similarly, we reject a Russian attempt to create hatred between Ukrainians and Jews,” the statement said.