Germany Eases Immigration Rules for Ukraine Jews

Germany is easing its immigration rules for Ukrainian Jews after reports of an increase in anti-Semitic incidents in Ukraine since clashes between pro-Russian separatists and Kiev forces broke out.

The German government is giving priority to Ukrainian Jews over Jews of other ex-Soviet republics.

It will also waive some of the stricter application rules that have been in place since 2005. Germany had tightened its regulations after allowing a huge influx of 200,000 Jews when communism fell in 1989.

The government said it is watching the situation for Jews in Ukraine closely.