Russian Jewish leader calls for end of Holocaust comparisons after Lavrov’s comments

Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia president Rabbi Alexander Boroda, calls for “an end of usage of national origin of opponents, as well as references to the history of the Second World War” after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s comments regarding Hitler and Jews.

Boroda says the Holocaust “requires proper protection and piety, because the echoes of those events are still an open wound for the peoples of the world.”

“Such national markers are inherently explosive and can aggravate inter-ethnic relations in the international arena and both within the country and society,” he says in a statement, which avoids explicitly criticizing Lavrov.

“If contentious historical debates were acceptable until recently, now that perception of facts is too inflamed, they are completely impermissible. They bring devastating destructive effects on horizontal connections in societies and on human relationships.”

“Even when such statements are made without any ill intent, they become a powerful catalyst for further destructive action.”

“Under any circumstances the Jewish community will guard the sanctity of the Holocaust’s tragedy, remember both the murderers, stained by the blood of millions of innocent victims, and the heroes who stopped the machine of death.”