The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is following the events taking place in the Ukrainian South East with pain and sorrow. The toll of fatalities in the Ukrainian political confrontation is rising almost daily, but even in such circumstances, the Odessa tragedy seems an inconcievable, horrendous return to the darkest of times. Not too long ago it was absolutely unthinkable that people might be practically burned alive as the result of an ideological conflict in the XXI century, in the center of Europe. But it did happen, and it happened in the traditionally tolerant, hospitable, and merry Odessa.

The EAJC would like to give its deepest condolences to the family and friends of those who perished on this tragic occasion, and wishes all who were hurt in the conflict a speedy recovery. The EAJC hopes that an impartial investigation of the Odessa tragedy will be held as soon as possible, and that those at fault - both those who organized the riots and those who condoned their development - will be found and severly punished. Impunity only inevitably leads to new crimes and new victims.

The EAJC truly hopes that the tragedy in Odessa, despite how heated things have become today, will make all sides involved turn to reason. We pray that nothing similar happens again, that peace comes to the long-suffering land of Ukraine.