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Religious extremists destroyed the Hanukkah lamp that was erected in the center of the Moldovan capital. One of the priests from Chisinau Orthodox Churches led the anti-Semitic crime.

The anti-Semitic rally that was led by religious extremists shut away the Hanukkah celebration in Chisinau. It took place on Sunday 13 December 2013, the third day for the Jewish holiday Hanukkah. An archpriest from one of the capital’s Orthodox cathedrals was in charge of the crowd of more than 100 people. Participants shouting anti-Semitic chants, they carried a lamp made of cast iron about tens of kilometers away from that it was initially erected and then threw it into the monument to Stefan The Great, which is a symbol of Moldovan independence. This was all in the presence of hundreds of pedestrians, police officers and journalists.

Эммануил Гриншпун Эммануил Гриншпун How difficult is it to fight for “orthodox principles

Anatoly Chibrik who is archpriest took the stage with his metal bars. He said he was shocked to see a symbol of the Jewish faith was placed in the centre of the capital city of an Orthodox state. Chibrik believes that authorities shouldn’t have permitted Jews to observe Hanukkah in such large number. Chibrik declared, “This violates law.” Chibrik also acknowledged that he did not believe it was necessary to discuss the actions of Church of St. Paraskeva parishioners with the Metropolia of Moldova. He stated, “I don’t have to speak to anyone when we fight for orthodox principles.”

Эммануил Гриншпун The city authorities had an idea to install the Hanukkah meorah in Chisinau’s Europe Square. This is where the EU flag is displayed alongside the Moldovan flag. Emmanuil Grinshpun who is the co-chairman for the Jewish Congress of Moldova, said that Hanukkah was observed in public in Chisinau for the first time in several years. Grinshpun also said that Sunday’s events were “a shock for all of us.”

The instance is for the state’s conscience.

Archpriest Chibrik was not the first person to confess to anti-Semitic conduct and this was revealed in a press conference attended by representatives of the Jewish Community of Moldova. Эммануил Гриншпун Grinshpun states that about one year ago, the Archpriest was present in St. Paraskevs in Chisinau holding leaflets. The contents were similar to the dark Middle Ages.

Grinshpun stated that the top leadership of the country’s Jewish organizations did not react to the situation in any way. In the present, the Jewish community of Moldova has voiced its displeasure about what is happening, but it will not be suing Chibrik and his adherents for inciting hatred against ethnic groups. Alexander Bilinkis who is also the chairman, said that the state should do this, and that the Moldovan Metropolitan should examine the actions its employees.

Vadimkeibash (Metropolitan Secretary) said he does not agree with this method of protest. He believes that each community is entitled to use symbols, however, authorities should consider the implications. “It is not possible to control all reactions of believers,” he said.

A blow to fundamental values

But, there have been no such “forms of protest” in the friendly Chisinau since the notorious 1903 Jewish pogrom of 1903. Members of the Jewish community see the second instance as hooliganism. Bilinkis says that the Hanukkah breakers were “deceived” by their leaders.

Эммануил Гриншпун Ilya Shits, General Director for the Jewish Congress, says that the action was well planned. On 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 believes that this act is meant to undermine Moldovan statehood by encroaching upon democratic principles and European aspirations.

Hanukkah, which was originally located in the city’s center It has been moved to Jerusalem Street. This is where a monument has been dedicated to all Holocaust victims. It has been a second day of security. Candles will be lit on it all day long until the end of the festival.