Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's comedy tour visited the Israeli Knesset on Sunday with the comedian and actor-turned master statesman invoking the Holocaust to demand Israel send military aid to prevent Putin's "final solution" to the "Ukrainian question."
During the previous stop of his tour in Germany, Zelensky told the Bundestag that they were responsible for another holocaust in Ukraine because they buy Russian oil. When Zelensky performed before the U.S. Congress, he invoked September 11th, Pearl Harbor and Martin Luther King Jr. to lobby for the U.S. to spark WW3 by instituting a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
Partial transcript:
I don’t need to convince you how intertwined our stories are. Stories of Ukrainians and Jews. In the past, and now, in this terrible time. We are in different countries and in completely different conditions. But the threat is the same: for both us and you – the total destruction of the people, state, culture. And even of the names: Ukraine, Israel.
I want you to feel it all. I want you to think about this date. About February 24. About the beginning of this invasion. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. February 24 – this day has twice gone down in history. And both times – as a tragedy. A tragedy for Ukrainians, for Jews, for Europe, for the world.
On February 24, 1920, the National Socialist Workers’ Party of Germany (NSDAP) was founded. A party that took millions of lives. Destroyed entire countries. Tried to kill nations.
102 years later, on February 24, a criminal order was issued to launch a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The invasion, which has claimed thousands of lives, has left millions homeless. Made them exiles. On their land and in neighboring countries. In Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Germany, the Czech Republic, the Baltic States and dozens of different countries.
Our people are now scattered around the world. They are looking for security. They are looking for a way to stay in peace. As you once searched.
This Russian invasion of Ukraine is not just a military operation, as Moscow claims. This is a large-scale and treacherous war aimed at destroying our people. Destroying our children, our families. Our state. Our cities. Our communities. Our culture. And everything that makes Ukrainians Ukrainians. Everything that Russian troops are now destroying. Deliberately. In front of the whole world.
That is why I have the right to this parallel and to this comparison. Our history and your history. Our war for our survival and World War II.
Listen to what the Kremlin says. Just listen! There are even terms that sounded then. And this is a tragedy. When the Nazi party raided Europe and wanted to destroy everything. Destroy everyone. Wanted to conquer the nations. And leave nothing from us, nothing from you. Even the name and the trace. They called it “the final solution to the Jewish issue”. You remember that. And I’m sure you will never forget!
But listen to what is sounding now in Moscow. Hear how these words are said again: “Final solution”. But already in relation, so to speak, to us, to the “Ukrainian issue”.
It is sounded openly. This is a tragedy. Once again, it was said at a meeting in Moscow. It is available on official websites. This was quoted in the state media of Russia. Moscow says so: without the war against us, they would not be able to ensure a “final solution” allegedly for their own security. Just like it was said 80 years ago.
People of Israel!
You saw Russian missiles hit Kyiv, Babyn Yar.[Note: An Israeli reporter debunked the Babyn Yar story.] You know what kind of land it is. More than 100,000 Holocaust victims are buried there. There are ancient Kyiv cemeteries. There is a Jewish cemetery. Russian missiles hit there.
People of Israel!
On the first day of this war, Russian projectiles hit our city of Uman. A city visited by tens of thousands of Israelis every year. For a pilgrimage to the tomb of Nachman of Breslov. What will be left of all such places in Ukraine after this terrible war?
I am sure that every word of my address echoes with pain in your hearts. Because you feel what I’m talking about. But can you explain why we still turn to the whole world, to many countries for help? We ask you for help… Even for basic visas…
What is it? Indifference? Premeditation? Or mediation without choosing a party? I will leave you a choice of answer to this question. And I will note only one thing – indifference kills. Premeditation is often erroneous. And mediation can be between states, not between good and evil.
Everyone in Israel knows that your missile defense is the best. It is powerful. Everyone knows that your weapon is strong. Everyone knows you’re doing great. You know how to defend your state interests, the interests of your people. And you can definitely help us protect our lives, the lives of Ukrainians, the lives of Ukrainian Jews.
One can keep asking why we can’t get weapons from you. Or why Israel has not imposed strong sanctions against Russia. Why it doesn’t put pressure on Russian business. But it is up to you, dear brothers and sisters, to choose the answer. And you will have to live with this answer, people of Israel.
Ukrainians have made their choice. 80 years ago. They rescued Jews. That is why the Righteous Among the Nations are among us.
People of Israel, now you have such a choice.
Zelensky is truly at the top of his comedy game!
His old sketches on Ukrainian TV don't hold a candle to his new act!
His comedy tour has been packing seats and causing a triggering like you wouldn't believe!
Several MKs harshly criticized Zelensky for drawing comparisons between the Holocaust and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and seemingly ignoring some Ukrainians’ complicity in the Nazi-led genocide.
“I admire the Ukraine president and support the Ukrainian people in heart and deed, but the terrible history of the Holocaust cannot be rewritten,” Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel tweeted.
Hendel noted that part of Nazi Germany’s genocide of Jews “was also carried out on Ukrainian land.” He added that while “the war is terrible, the comparison to the horrors of the Holocaust and the Final Solution is outrageous.”
Hebrew media outlets quote unnamed senior ministers railing at Zelensky’s “outrageous comparison.”
Zelensky knows how sensitive these topics are but as a master comedian he is always pushing his craft to its limits!
He's the world's greatest statesman, the world's greatest actor and the world's greatest comedian!
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's comedy tour visited the Israeli Knesset on Sunday with the comedian and actor-turned master statesman invoking the Holocaust to demand Israel send military aid to prevent Putin's "final solution" to the "Ukrainian question."