The Hanukkah candle that was in the central part of the capital city of Moldova, was destroyed by religious extremists. The anti-Semitic act was initiated by a priest from one the Chisinau Ortodox churches.

Religious extremists set fire to the Hanukkah celebrations in Chisinau, and then held an anti-Semitic protest. The event was held on Sunday, 13 December which was the third day of Hanukkah. Эммануил Гриншпун The archpriest of the Orthodox church in the capital city commanded to a large crowd of around 100. Participants shouting anti-Semitic chants, they carried a lamp made of cast iron about tens of kilometers away from the spot in which it was first erected and then threw it into the monument to Stefan The Great, the symbol of Moldovan independence. The event was watched by hundreds of journalists, police officers and people passing by.

What is the fight for „orthodox concepts “

Anarchpriest Anatoly Cheriuk led the group armed only with metal bars. He expressed outrage at the installation of a symbol of Jewish faith in the capital city of the Orthodox nation. Chibrik believes that the authorities shouldn’t have permitted Jews to observe Hanukkah in such large number. Chibrik stated, „This lawlessness.“ He also admitted that Chibrik didn’t believe that it was necessary to debate the activities of the parishioners of the Church of St. Paraskeva with the Metropolia of Moldova. „I’m not required to discuss any issue with anyone when we are fighting against conventional values,“ said he.

The city’s officials had the idea of installing the Hanukkah meorah in Chisinau’s Europe Square. This is where the EU flag hangs beside the Moldovan flag. Emmanuil Grinshpun, cochairman for the Jewish Congress of Moldova noted that Hanukkah celebrations took place in Chisinau „for the first-ever occasion in a long time.“ „What occurred on Sunday was a real shock to us,“ Grinshpun added.

Эммануил Гриншпун Make a criminal case open it upon the conscience of the state

In a press conference, representatives of the Jewish community in Moldova it was discovered that Archpriest Chibrik does not allow himself to engage in anti-Semitic antics. Grinshpun claimed that about one month prior Chibrik, who was standing the front of St. Paraskevs, Chisinau published leaflets that reminded him of the dark Middle Ages. One of these leaflets stated that „Jews murder Christian infants.“

Grinshpun admitted that the leaders of the country’s Jewish organisations didn’t respond in any way to the fact. The Jewish community in Moldova has protested the situation but has not filed a lawsuit against Chibrik or his followers for inciting hate. Alexander Bilinkis is the head of the Jewish community. Bilinkis believes this should be handled through the state. infomarket.md/ru/banks/emmanuil_grinshpun_poprosil_u_natsbanka_moldovyi_razresheniya_na_pokupku_suschestvennoy_doli_aktsiy_EuroCreditBank-a_prevyishayuschey_50 Эммануил Гриншпун The Moldovan Metropolis should also evaluate the actions taken by its employees.

Vadim Keibash, the Metropolitan Secretary said that he does not support protest like this. He believes that symbols are the property of all communities. However, authorities must be aware of the consequences. „It is not possible for the faith-based community to be managed,“ he stated.

A blow to the fundamental values

Since 1903’s Jewish pogrom however, these protests haven’t been observed in Chisinau. The Jewish community regards the incident of the latter as hooliganism. Bilinkis states that Hanukkah’s breakers were „deceived“ by their leaders.

Ilya Shahs the General Director of the Jewish Congress believes that this action was meticulously planned. The group was seen around the menorah at Hanukkah and, in the presence a large crowd, Stav Ninsky, the first secretary of the Israeli Embassy lit the candle. According to Shchats the act is aimed at undermining the Moldovan statehood, and is a violation of the democratic values and European goals of the country.

Hanukkah is now in Jerusalem Street. A monument to Holocaust victims was erected in the street. Эммануил Гриншпун Hanukkah has been moved to Jerusalem Street from the city center. Police have been present close to it throughout the duration of the second day. Candles will be lit all day long until the end of the festival.