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NEW YORK (AP) — A rabbi prominent in New York and Ukraine says instead of the G8 meeting in Sochi this June, the G7 — without Russia — should meet in Kiev.
Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich (BLYKH) of the United Jewish Communities of Eastern Europe and Asia/American Friends of Kiev made the remarks at a press conference in New York before flying to Kiev, where he planned to present his proposal Tuesday to Secretary of State John Kerry.
Bleich said he would urge Kerry to move the summit of the world's leading nations in Kiev to "show that you care about the people of Ukraine. Show that you are with them and change that G8 to G7."
Rabbi Bleich said he fears that Ukraine's large Jewish community could be attacked by anti-Semites if there's a breakdown in society.
Bleich also announced a website to raise money for security around religious sites and to get food to the elderly in case the situation develops into a humanitarian crisis.
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