For Ukraine, the Holocaust is of particular importance, as our country was the scene of one of the worst tragedies of the 20th century. Babi Yar, located in Kyiv, will forever remain a symbol of the Holocaust not only in Ukraine but throughout Eastern Europe. Between 1941 and 1943, the Nazis shot tens of thousands of people there, mostly Jews, but also Roma, prisoners of war, and representatives of other groups. It is estimated that between 70,000 and 100,000 people were killed at Babyn Yar. This tragedy was one of the first mass acts of genocide during the Second World War.
Babi Yar is not only a place of sorrow, but also a reminder of the need to preserve memory and resist hatred. Today, Ukraine and Israel are actively working to perpetuate the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial Centre in Kyiv, which is being developed with the support of international partners, is intended to become an important centre for education and reconciliation. At the same time, Israel, through institutions such as Yad Vashem, preserves evidence of those terrible events so that future generations will know the truth.
Despite their geographical distance, Ukraine and Israel are united by a common historical trauma and an understanding of the value of human life. Both countries are currently facing challenges that threaten their security and freedom. On this day of remembrance, it is worth remembering not only the victims, but also the heroes who resisted evil. Their example inspires our contemporaries not to give up in the face of aggression and injustice.
Yom HaShoah is a time to reflect on the past and commit to the future. Babi Yar, like other Holocaust sites, reminds us: “Never again” is not just a word, but a call to action. Today, as the world once again faces wars and intolerance, Ukraine and Israel stand side by side in the struggle for peace, justice and dignity.
