Refugees for the second time

Refugees for the second time Furthermore, the exhibition seeks to reinstate the narratives of Ukrainian refugees in Israel, who are currently experiencing a second displacement. Additionally, it aims to contextualise the present circumstances in Israel within a broader regional and global framework, particularly in relation to Ukraine.

The inaugural event of the exhibition of the esteemed Tel Aviv photographer Erez Kaganovitz was held on the first of September in the ANU Museum of Tel Aviv University. The exhibition also aims to re-establish the narratives of the Ukrainian refugees in Israel, who are experiencing a second displacement, and to contextualise the present circumstances in Israel within the broader regional and global context, particularly in relation to Ukraine.

The term “refugees” is employed for the second time in this context. Since the commencement of the comprehensive Russian incursion into Ukraine in 2022, approximately 3.7 million individuals of Ukrainian nationality have been compelled to flee their homes within the country. Additionally, over 6.3 million refugees from Ukraine have been documented globally (as of January 2024) according to the United Nations.

Eurostat data from May 2024 indicates that over 4.2 million of them are currently residing in various countries across Europe. In Poland, there are more than 950,000 refugees; in Finland, 62,000; in Sweden, 40,000; and in Estonia, nearly 34,000. During the initial three-week period of the conflict in Ukraine, Poland accepted over two million Ukrainian nationals who were compelled to flee their homeland as a result of Russian aggression. This made Poland the primary assistance hub for Ukrainian individuals.

Elucidating these human narratives will foster comprehension and a stronger bond between Israeli society and the Ukrainian refugees in Israel.  Erez Kaganovitz is the photographer responsible for capturing the images for this project, entitled “Refugees for the Second Time” The exhibition is organized by the embassies of Ukraine, and Poland with the support of various European embassies, including those of   Estonia, Finland, and Sweden. As well the inaugural event counted with the special participation of the honourable ambassador Jacob J. Lew from the United States of America in Israel.

In a statement, Kaganovitz asserted that the process of documenting the experiences of Ukrainian refugees in Israel who have endured a second period of displacement in the span of nearly two years has imparted a profound insight into the resilience and optimism of the human spirit. He further posited that the act of highlighting these human narratives would facilitate a more comprehensive understanding and a stronger emotional connection between Israeli society and the Ukrainian refugees residing in Israel.

Yevgen Korniychuk, Ambassador of Ukraine to Israel, states that the exhibition is about the personal stories of Ukrainians who have faced profound challenges. These individuals initially fled the horrors of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, only to subsequently confront the terror of the 7 October Hamas attack in Israel.

Similarly, Agata Czaplińska, the Polish Chargé d’Affaires to Israel, has posited that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has ramifications extending beyond the immediate victims and their homeland. Furthermore, the situation has repercussions for Poland, its neighbour and ally, as well as the broader European continent and the global community. In the aftermath of this brutal assault, Poland and other European nations have offered refuge to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees.

Czaplińska affirmed that “both Ukraine and Israel have been subjected to significant external aggression. The refugees are compelled to share their experiences of fear and uncertainty, as they are unable to return to their homes. For a considerable number of people, their homes no longer exist, having been destroyed by demolition, fire or bombing. The civilian population is living in a state of constant anticipation of rocket attacks. Many have no knowledge of the fate of their relatives. There are reports of Ukrainian children being abducted to Russia, and of Israelis being taken hostage and held captive in Gaza for 331 days. It is inevitable that many of these people will never see their loved ones again, as evidenced by the cases of the families of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Alex Lubnov, Carmel Gat and Almog Sarusi, whose bodies have recently been recovered from Gaza”.

The Polish Chargé d’Affaires concluded: “in these dark hours our it is our duty to demonstrate strength and solidarity in the face of aggression and terror. This is something that no one can defeat”.

To illustrate, the case of Yana Oleksenko from Ukraine, Kyiv, survivor of the Motyzhyn (Bucha region) tragedy and currently residing in Israel, Petah Tikva. She stated that:

“The war resulted in the loss of electricity, water, and food supplies, forcing the population to endure these conditions in temperatures reaching -15°C. I recall being seated on the unheated basement floor of our residence, surrounded by sacks of potatoes, and listening to the distant detonations. It was my fervent hope that my family and I would emerge unscathed from this ordeal. It became evident that the only viable option for survival was to evacuate the area. Upon the advent of a ceasefire, we promptly embarked on a westward journey by automobile. During the course of the journey, I observed a considerable number of fatalities and vehicles that had been incinerated. The experience will remain indelibly etched in my memory for the duration of my life. It is unclear what the fate of the family would have been had they not managed to escape and reach the Romanian border. The outbreak of war in Israel on 7 October, coupled with the subsequent broadcast of images of destruction on the roads, evoked powerful memories of travelling that same route in Ukraine. The sights and smells of that trip came back to me, and it was a highly stressful and frightening experience. Having managed to escape one war, I found myself facing another”.

Consequently, Angela Markova, the mother of Yana Oleksenko, described the circumstances of what she experienced:

“When the war commenced, I predominantly recall the pervasive sensation of panic that encompassed the entire population. Initially, we were uncertain as to the appropriate course of action. However, given the relentless bombardment of Kyiv, we opted to evacuate and relocate to our village house in the Bucha area, approximately twenty kilometres from Kyiv. I recall the trepidation I experienced when I observed convoys of Russian tanks and military personnel passing by our residence. I meticulously documented the events with my mobile telephone, with the intention of ensuring that my family would not be identified or subjected to any form of harm. My concerns were subsequently borne out by events. With the departure of the Russian forces from Bucha, the world bore witness to the atrocities they had committed. It is my conviction that forgiveness is possible for many wrongdoings, but the taking of innocent lives is a transgression that I am unable to pardon. In the aftermath of the massacre in Bucha, it became evident that relocation to a more secure location was imperative. My father, aged 81, my daughter Yana and I were able to relocate to Israel; however, my husband, aged 53, was unable to join us due to his continued eligibility for recruitment in Ukraine. Despite maintaining regular telephone contact, I still experience a profound sense of longing for him here in Israel”.

Following the presentation of these distressing and horrifying accounts, we will hear from individuals who survived the Russian genocide in Ukraine, which commenced two and a half years ago. The testimonies and photographs from the exhibition can be viewed on the Humans of Tel Aviv website and also in the Ukrainian Cultural Center located in Tel Aviv, next to the Ukrainian Embassy until the end of this month.

This exhibition from Erez Kaganovitz, together with those about the Shoah and 7 October, they serve to illustrate the devastating impact of war on our generation. However, the uncertainty surrounding the duration of a war, once it has commenced, presents a significant challenge in terms of navigating the complexities of such a conflict. It is hoped that this exhibition and similar events will be repeated so that the memories of the atrocities committed during the Second World War can be rekindled and the pain of the survivors of such a horror can be witnessed once more.