September 19, 2023 — New York
American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, today reiterated support for Ukraine following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
“While Russia continues its illegal and brutal campaign against Ukraine, AJC stands in strong support of the people of Ukraine and will continue working to ensure that they have what they need – including military support – to end this war,” said Jason Isaacson, AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer. “From its outset, Russia’s illegal, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has been marked by horrific violence. We continue to urge countries to block Russia’s bid for membership in the UN Human Rights Council, a body it is utterly unqualified to join. As AJC’s Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights (JBI) detailed in a report earlier this year, Russian forces have destroyed critical civilian infrastructure and committed widespread human rights abuses, including torture, executions, sexual violence, and illegal abductions of the Ukrainian people.
“This conflict is at a pivotal moment – not just for Ukrainians, but for all who value human rights and democratic values. Russia has turned to partners like Iran to support this war, a dangerous alliance that threatens to destabilize the Middle East.
“As the first Jewish organization in the world to support the restoration of Ukrainian independence in 1991, and an official partner organization of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine, AJC remains committed to Ukrainians’ fight for their full sovereignty, and the defense of their territorial integrity and democracy.”
In June, AJC urged the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to provide Ukraine with a “clear path” to membership, a step AJC argued would deter further aggression by Russia and other “bad actors” seeking to destabilize Europe.
JBI marked the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with the publication of a report calling for collective action to uphold human rights, secure peace, and ensure justice. The report details allegations of widespread and systematic human rights violations and war crimes in Ukraine. In its conclusions, JBI, among other recommendations, emphasized the importance of continued support for the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, and the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Russian Federation.
Through advocacy directly with the White House and Congress, and diplomatic outreach to governments around the world, AJC has continued to assertively support Ukraine since the day Russia launched its unprovoked invasion. AJC has been providing vital humanitarian relief assistance through its #StandWithUkraine Fund.
Ukrainian President Zelensky addressed AJC Global Forum in 2022.
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 offices across the United States, 14 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. More at AJC.org.
