During Purim this year in Kiev, local Jews and members of the Christian missionary organization “Jews for Jesus” clashed, according to a May 7, 2003 report by the RUJEN news agency. Police reportedly took the side of the missionaries.

According to the report, police arrested both Jews and missionaries for fighting in the street outside a concert hall where Purim festivities were being held. At the station, both sides were interrogated by a police captain who allegedly offered the Christian missionaries seats, but forced the arrested Jews to stand. “I’m not an antisemite,” the policeman shouted, “but I understand why people don’t like you!” He then went on to lecture the Jews about how “the missionaries are normal guys, and the Arabs are soon going to grind all of Israel into dust.” Only the arrival of members of the Israeli consulate saved the Jews from having to spend the night in jail, according to the RUJEN report.

“Jews for Jesus” is especially active in Ukraine; their efforts to convert Jews are running into increasing resistance from Jewish communities in Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk, and other cities.

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