President Isaac Herzog landed in Kiev on Tuesday for his first visit to the Ukraine as president, at the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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The president discussed the history of Ukrainain Jewry, saying that "Some of the greatest Jewish figures were born and raised here – religious and spiritual leaders, statesmen, Zionist thinkers and notable cultural heroes."
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However, Herzog said, the Jewish people also had a "difficult and painful history" in Ukraine, having been subjected to rioting and pogroms in earlier centuries, as well as the infamous Nazi massacre at Babi (Babyn) Yar.
Herzog thanked Zelensky for making legislation opposing antisemitism a priority and said he hoped the bill would pass soon.
In addition, Herzog noted that Ukraine had elected not to participate in the recent 20th anniversary event to commemorate the 2001 Durban Conference. Ukraine was one of over 30 nations that agreed to Israel's request to skip the event.
Earlier, Herzog laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier and at a memorial to the victims of the Great Famine.
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