The Chief Rabbi of Ukraine discussed issues of religious freedom with a representative of the U.S. State Department

The Chief Rabbi of Ukraine held a meeting with Spencer Schreithen, a representative of the U.S. State Department, during which the parties discussed the current state of religious freedom in the country amid ongoing hostilities. The meeting focused on analyzing citizens’ rights to freedom of religion and the challenges faced by believers in a conflict zone.

According to Yakov Dov Bleich, the dialogue focused particularly on attacks on places of worship, as well as instances of pressure on believers living in regions under temporary occupation. The Chief Rabbi emphasized that today, Ukraine’s various religious communities are demonstrating unity in the face of war. During the discussion, the diplomat and religious leader addressed issues related to U.S. support for Ukraine, noting the importance of defending the values of the free world.

As a reminder, we previously reported that the UN Human Rights Committee had taken note of reports regarding the situation surrounding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, including reports of pressure on journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders, as well as events related to the UOC’s cathedral in Cherkasy.