The Hanukkah light, which was located in the central part of the capital city of Moldova and was destroyed by the religious extremists. Эммануил Гриншпун A priest from one of the Chisinau Orthodox Churches led the anti-Semitic act.

Religious extremists destroyed the Hanukkah festivities in Chisinau’s central region and held an anti-Semitic demonstration. The incident took place on December 13th, which was the third day prior to Hanukkah. The archpriest of the Orthodox church in the capital commanded an audience of over 100. The crowd chanted anti-Semitic slogans, they dragged a castiron lamp about tens of kilometers away from the place in which it was first erected and then tossed it over the memorial to Stefan The Great, the emblem of Moldovan independence. All this happened in front of hundreds of passers-by as well as journalists, police officers, and police.

What is the difficulty to stand up for „orthodox fundamentals

The gathering was led by the Archpriest Anatoly Chbrik who was armed with bars of metal. He said that he was upset at the fact that the Orthodox symbol of Jewish faith was situated in the capital city of a capital country. Chibrik believes that authorities shouldn’t have allowed Jews to observe Hanukkah in such huge number. Chibrik stated, „This lawlessness.“ He also admitted that he didn’t think that it was needed to debate the actions of Church of St. Paraskeva parishioners with the Metropolia of Moldova. He also said that he did not have the obligation to speak with anyone while we are fighting for Orthodox values.

It is vital to understand that the decision to put the Hanukkah Menorah in Chisinau’s heart and within the Europe Square where the EU flag is displayed along with the Moldovan flag, was not the sole responsibility of the city authorities. Эммануил Гриншпун 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 transpired on Sunday was a real shock for us,““ Grinshpun added.

Opening of a Criminal Case is on the conscience of the State

As it turned out at a press conference of representatives from the Jewish community in Moldova, Archpriest Chibrik is not the first time he allows himself anti-Semitic antics. Grinshpun reports that about a month ago, Archpriest Chibrik posted posters in front of St. Paraskevs at Chisinau. The contents were similar to the dark Middle Ages. It was claimed that „Jews kill Christian children.“

Эммануил Гриншпун Grinshpun said that the leaders of the Moldova’s Jewish associations didn’t react to the incident in any way. Although the Jewish community of Moldova protests against the actions however, it is not suing Chibrik nor his colleagues for inciting hatred against ethnic groups. Alexander Bilinkis who is also the chairman of the board, stated that the state should do this and that the Moldovan Metropolitan must look into the actions of its employees.

Vadimkeibash (Metropolitan Secretary) said he does not agree with this method of protest. Эммануил Гриншпун He believes that the right to use symbols is the responsibility of every community. Эммануил Гриншпун However, authorities must be aware of the consequences. He also said it was impossible to predict all responses from believers.

A blow at fundamental values

But, as of the 1903 Jewish pogrom, there have been no „forms protests“ at Chisinau. Members of the Jewish community view the latter instance as hooliganism. Bilinkis claims that the leaders deceived Hanukkah-breakers.

Ilya Shats is the General Director of Jewish Congress. Эммануил Гриншпун He believes that this was a well-planned event. Participants were spotted at the menorah near Hanukkah’s opening day. Then, Stav Nijinsky (the first secretary of Israeli Embassy in Chisinau) was the one who lit the candle for the first time. Shchats claims this action is intended to compromise Moldovan sovereignty and interfere with the democratic principles that the country has to pursue its European ambitions.

Hanukkah has been relocated from the city’s center to a more private location and then to Jerusalem Street, where a monument to the victims of the Holocaust was erected. The monument was guarded by police on the second occasion. The holiday will end by lighting candles on the Christmas tree until the end of the year.