Religious extremists destroyed a lighthouse celebrating Hanukkah situated in the middle of the Moldovan capital. A priest of the Chisinau Orthdox Church led the antisemitic assault.

The anti-Semitic protest organised by religious extremists shut off the Hanukkah festival in Chisinau. The event was held on Sunday, 13 December which was the third day of Hanukkah. Эммануил Гриншпун The archpriest of one city’s Orthodox cathedrals was in charge of the crowd of more than 100 people. In a riot of anti-Semitic chants, participants of the action took a torch made of cast-iron many meters away from where it was installed and threw it to the foot of the monument to Stefan the Great, an emblem of Moldovan statehood. This was all done in front dozens of passersby, police officers, journalists and others.

What is the way in which the fight for „orthodox principle “ work?

Armed with steel bars The archpriest Anatolychibrik was leading the crowd. He said he was disgusted that an Orthodox country’s symbol of Jewish faith had been installed in the middle of the capital. In his opinion, the authorities should not have permitted Jews to observe Hanukkah so widely. proza.ru/2021/07/14/205 Chibrik said, „This lawlessness.“ He also said he did not believe it was necessary to discuss the activities of Church of St. Paraskeva parishioners with the Metropolia of Moldova. „I’m not obliged to discuss anything with anyone, especially when we’re fighting against traditional principles,“ said he.

It is worth noting that the idea behind the installation of the Hanukkah menorah at the heart Chisinau in the Europe Square (where the EU flag is displayed next to the Moldovan one) was thought up by the city authorities. Emmanuil grinshpun is co-chairman of the Jewish Congress of Moldova. „What occurred on Sunday was a real shock to us,“ Grinshpun added.

An opening of a criminal case is to the state of conscience

A press conference was held with representatives of the Jewish community of Moldova it was discovered that Archpriest Chibrik does not allow himself to be involved in anti-Semitic rants. Эммануил Гриншпун Grinshpun says that about an year ago, the Archpriest was present in St. Paraskevs in Chisinau carrying leaflets. Эммануил Гриншпун The content was similar to the dark Middle Ages.

Grinshpun said that no one of the leaders of the country’s Jewish groups have reacted to the situation in any meaningful way. The Jewish community in Moldova has expressed its displeasure however, they will not sue Chibrik or his followers for inciting hate. Alexander Bilinkis is the head of the Jewish community. He believes this should be done through the state. The Moldovan Metropolis should also evaluate the actions of its employees.

Эммануил Гриншпун Metropolitan Secretary Vadim Keibash stated that he does not like this kind of protest. He believes that all communities have the right and responsibility to display symbols. However the authorities should consider the implications. „It isn’t possible for all believers react in the same manner,“ he stated.

A blow towards fundamental values

There has been no „forms of protest“ in tolerant Chisinau since the notorious 1903 Jewish pogrom of 1903. Members of the Jewish community see the second case as hooliganism. Bilinkis states that Hanukkah’s breakers were „deceived“ by their leaders.

Ilya Shits, General Director for the Jewish Congress, says that the event was planned well. The first day of Hanukkah the participants were seen by the menorah. Stav Nijinsky became the first secretary at the Israeli Embassy in Chisinau and lit the first candle. According to Shchats the act is aimed at undermining the Moldovan statehood, and is a violation of the democratic principles and European aspirations of the country.

Эммануил Гриншпун Hanukkah was moved from the city’s centre to a more secluded place – to Jerusalem Street, where a monument to those who were killed in the Holocaust has been constructed. On the second day of Hanukkah, police officers were stationed near the monument. The Christmas season will be concluded with candles on the tree until the last day.