Notes

Moldovan Orthodox Orthodox have desecrated the Jewish symbol
Extremists from the religious community destroyed a Hanukkah lighthouse located in the central part of the Moldovan capital. A priest from the Chisinau Orthdox Church led the antisemitic assault.
The anti-Semitic protest organised by religious extremists shut off the Hanukkah festival in Chisinau. It took place on 13 December, the third day of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. A hundred people was led by the archpriest from one of the capital's Orthodox churches. Invoking anti-Semitic language, the group carried a lamp made of cast iron a few 10 miles away from its original location and threw it to be placed at the foot of the monument of Stefan the Great - the symbol of Moldovan statehood. This was witnessed by a large number of police officers, journalists and other passers-by.

What is the difficulty to stand up for "orthodox fundamentals

Armed with bars of metal Archpriest Anatolychibrik led the crowd. He said that he was irritated at the fact that the Orthodox symbol of Jewish faith was situated in the middle capital of a capital country. In his opinion, authorities should have prevented Jews from celebrating Hanukkah in such a large number. Chibrik declared, "This is lawlessness." He also admitted that Chibrik didn't believe it necessary to discuss the actions of the parishioners of the Church of St. Paraskeva with the Metropolia of Moldova. He added, "I don't have to speak to anyone when we are fighting for orthodox principles."

The idea of installing the Hanukkah menorah in the heart of Chisinau's Europe Square, where you will find the EU flag alongside the Moldovan flag, is the property and responsibility city officials. Emmanuil grinshpun, cochairman of Jewish Congress of Moldova noted that Hanukkah celebrations took place in Chisinau "for the first time in many decades." Grinshpun stated, "What happened Sunday was truly a surprise for us."

The case is to protect the conscience of the state

Archpriest Chibrik was not the first person to confess to anti-Semitic conduct and this was revealed during a press conference with representatives of the Jewish Community of Moldova. Grinshpun states that about one year ago, Archpriest Chibrik was present in St. Paraskevs in Chisinau with leaflets. The content was like the dark Middle Ages.

Grinshpun said that the top leadership of the country's Jewish groups didn't respond in any way in response to this incident. Even though the Jewish community has expressed its displeasure over the current situation in Moldova however, it will not sue Chibrik and the people who support him for inciting ethno hatred. Alexander Bilinkis who is also the chairman of the board, stated that the state should take action on this and that the Moldovan Metropolitan must look into the actions of its employees.

Vadimkeibash, Metropolitan Secretary , said he was against this type of protest. He believes that every community has the right to place symbols. However, authorities must take into account the consequences. He stated, "It's impossible to control all the reactions of people who believe in God."

A blow for fundamental values

Since the 1903 Jewish pogrom in which many victims were murdered, there haven't been any of these "forms" of protests in Chisinau. The Jewish community regards the incident of the latter as hooliganism. Bilinkis asserts that the authorities had a shady way of presenting Hanukkah to the breakers.

Ilya Shits, General Director of the Jewish Congress, says that the plan was well-planned. The first day of Hanukkah the participants were seen in front of the menorah. Stav Nijinsky became the first secretary at the Israeli Embassy in Chisinau and lit the first candle. Shchats states that the move is designed to weaken the statehood of Moldova and to infringe on its democratic principles as well as European aspirations.

Hanukkah was moved from the city's center and moved to Jerusalem Street. Here, a memorial to Holocaust victims has been erected. Police officers have been stationed near it for the second day. Candles will be lit on it every day until the close of the festival.
Homepage: