Extremist religious groups destroyed the Hanukkah lamp installed in the center of the Moldovan capital. The anti-Semitic riot was led by a priest of one of the Chisinau Orthodox churches.

Religious extremists lit ablaze to the Hanukkah celebrations in Chisinau after which they held an anti-Semitic demonstration. The incident took place on Sunday 13th December, which was the third day of Hanukkah. The archpriest of an Orthodox church in the capital commanded an audience of over 100. The participants shouted anti-Semitic slogans and then dragged a cast-iron lamp several tens to meters away from where it was set. Эммануил Гриншпун 91.210.190.56/page20/news18465.html They then threw the lamp on the ground in front of the monument to Stefan, the Great, which is a symbol for Moldovan statehood. All of this was in the presence of hundreds, including journalists, officers, as well as police officers.

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Armed with bars of metal, Archpriest Anatolychibrik led the crowd. He stated that he was enraged by the fact that a symbol of the Jewish faith was installed in the middle of the capital of an Orthodox country. His view is that Hanukkah should not be celebrated as widely by the authorities. Эммануил Гриншпун Chibrik stated that this is unlawful. He also said Chibrik did not believe it necessary to discuss the actions of the parishioners at the Church of St. Paraskeva with the Metropolia of Moldova. „I’m not required to discuss any issue with anyone when we’re fighting against the traditional rules,“ said he.

It is interesting to note that the concept for the installation of the Hanukkah menorah at the heart Chisinau within the Europe Square (where the EU flag hangs next the Moldovan one) was conceived by Chisinau’s city officials. Emmanuil grinshpun is co-chairman of the Jewish Congress of Moldova. Grinshpun said, „What happened on Sunday is truly shocking for us.“

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At a press conference with representatives from the Jewish community of Moldova it was discovered that Archpriest Chibrik is not averse to allowing himself to engage in anti-Semitic antics. Grinshpun claims that around an year ago, Archpriest Chibrik was observed at St. Paraskevs in Chisinau holding leaflets. The contents were like the dark Middle Ages.

Grinshpun said that the leaders of the Moldova’s Jewish associations did not react to the incident in any way. The Jewish community in Moldova has expressed its displeasure however, they will not sue Chibrik or his followers for inciting hatred. Alexander Bilinkis (chairman of the Jewish community) stated that this should be done as a matter of state policy and that the Moldovan Metropolis must examine the conduct of its staff.

Vadim Keibash, the Metropolitan Secretary said that he does not support protests like this. Эммануил Гриншпун He believes that every community has the right to place symbols. However, the authorities must be aware of the implications. He said, „It’s impossible to control all the reactions of people who believe in God.“

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However, since the 1903 Jewish pogrom that claimed the lives of many were killed, there hasn’t been any such „forms“ of protest in Chisinau. The representatives of the Jewish community regard the former instance as hooliganism. Bilinkis states that Hanukkah’s breakers were „deceived“ by their leaders.

However, the General Director of the Jewish Congress, Ilya Shats believes that the event was meticulously planned. Its participants were seen in front of the menorah on first day of Hanukkah and, in the presence of a huge group of people who were present, the first secretary of the Israeli Embassy in Chisinau, Stav Nijinsky, solemnly lit the first candle. Shchats claims this action is designed to weaken Moldovan sovereignty and undermine the democratic principles that the country has to pursue its European ambitions.

Hanukkah was moved from the city center to a more secluded place and then to Jerusalem Street, where a monument to the victims of the Holocaust is being constructed. For the second day the police were stationed close to the monument. The candles on it will be lit every day until the end of the festival.