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CHISINAU, Moldova [INTERFAX] — Several dozens of people took part in an anti-Semitic manifestation in central Chisinau on Sunday. The protestors who called themselves as “Orthodox Xtians” said they will not let “Moldova be run by Jews.”

Shocking Video: Romanians Tear Down Menorah, put up Cross

CHISINAU, Moldova [INTERFAX] — Several dozens of people took part in an anti-Semitic manifestation in central Chisinau on Sunday. The protestors who called themselves as “Orthodox Xtians” said they will not let “Moldova be run by Jews.”

The participants of the protest, which took place in Chisinau’s central park, chanted anti-Semitic slogans. They ripped the Jewish symbols put up in the park last Friday on the occasion of the Jewish Hanukkah holiday. The traditional Jewish candlestick was knocked down from the plinth and thrown to the pedestal of the monument to Moldovan ruler Stefan Cel Mare.

The rally which lasted almost one hour also involved several people dressed as priests. Police did not interfere, though several patrols were keeping an eye on what happened.

Officers from the Chisinau police commissariat arrived together with representatives from the Israeli Embassy later when the manifestation was already over.

Activists from the Chisinau Jewish community were here last Friday to put up the Jewish symbols in the central park on the occasion of the Hanukkah festivities. The symbols were expected to remain their throughout the eight-day holiday period, they said.

CHI EDIT: There is one local Shliach, Rabbi Zalman Abelsky, in the area who we were unable to reach for comment.

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38 Comments

  • interesting

    Look in the second video how they treat the menorah that they are taking down. They could have easily thrown it aside. But the treat it with a kind of respect.
    Interesting.

  • crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    these people are sick there not humans there crazy

    and besides the pollice where just watching weren’t doing anything! at least they should not let them be there1

  • To interesting

    To “interesting”:

    If you watch again carefully you will notice that the reason they did not “throw it down” was because it was extremely heavy, and not out of respect. Watch how they struggle to carry it.

  • gross

    it’s an Anti-Semitic place and the police are also Anti-Semitic.
    disgusting sick people.

  • Confused

    Im so confused! whhy didnt anyone do anything???? it would be cool to have a video with subtitles on what that guy was saying-its sick!

  • Got it?

    The msg is very clear!!!!
    they r trying to break our spirit and destroy us…but we’ll add even more light and we’ll expose more menoras on the streets…

  • Not really

    not respect. The Menorah looks really heavy. All they are respecting is their own toes.
    Sick to see this still exists in the world.

  • its not america

    its not america and they were all caring it b/c it was haevy not to treat it with respect

  • WHY ARE WE SILENT?

    WHERE IS THE COMMUNITY OUTRAGE?
    WHERE IS THE JEWISH OUTRAGE?
    WHERE IS THE WORLD OUTRAGE?

  • Non_Jew

    I lived in crown Heights for four years, all i can tell from my experience is that, Judaism is a religion of peace and tolerance, never had problems with my neighbors, i was treated with respect. People are sick, as a christian, i am ashamed of these acts and deeply disturbed, my faith in Christianity has shaken up.

  • To Intresting

    It was to put the menorah down in front of the statue besides that it was heavy

  • Were ther warnings?

    Symbols

    From the time of the crusades to the natzies to today have served to agrivate and inflame passions some for good most for evil.

    Are symbols necessary? Would acts of kindness be better then a contest of symbols?

    There had to be warnings that placement of the menorah would cause this demonstration was it placed knowingly to antagonize?

  • to #7

    to #7 we shouldn’t daven to H-ashem to kill, them, we should daven to Hashem that he should make them batter

  • me

    to the person who said that it isn’t america – things like this happen in america too. there are cities that aren’t allowed to put up menorahs in the first place, and places where cars with menorahs on them have the windows broken, etc. anti semitism exists everywhere. it is very scary.

  • to interesting

    You silly person. The reason they didn’t throw it aside is because they wanted it to be broken and upside down under the statue with the cross. I can’t believe how shockingly naive you are.

  • Geographer

    Slight technicality here: Moldova and Romania are different countries. Also, I’m sure what they are singing is religious in nature and should not be listened to.

  • very very mad

    these old romanians should be in the nursing home and leave our menorah alone. hashem yishmor.

  • very annoyed

    they should be liable for stealing and get arrested.
    and y the heck is that preist in a skirt?

  • saddened

    no jews were there cuz it seems this took place on shabbos.
    very disgraceful how not one person stepped forward to stop this from occcuring. how can we get this video on cnnnews?

  • Reuven

    To the editors:

    The headline is wrong. Chisinau is the capital of MOLDOVA, not ROMANIA.

  • WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

    TO #7 WROTE: YOU ARE RIGHT! WE SHOULD PRAY THAT THESE PEOPLE BECOME B A T T E R!!!!! (I KNOW THAT THIS WAS AN INNOCENT SPELLING MISTAKE ON YOUR PART, BUT IT MAKES MORE SENSE WITH YOUR MISTAKE) OTHER THAN THE MINORITY EXCEPTIONS, A GOY IS A GOY IS A GOY, AND AS SUCH WILL ALWAYS DESPISE YIDDEN. SO WHAT ELSE IS NEW???!!!

  • Thomas the Catholic

    I am truly embarrassed by these cretins. There is a menorah on display close to where I live (in Chapel Hill) and I humbly thank G-d that my fellow Americans of the Jewish Faith can practice their good & decent religion openly. I appeal to you to know that there are Christians, like me, who are very ardent Judeophiles. The following statement has been said in a slightly different way: The Moldovians are robbing themselves.

  • a riviter

    Interesting—

    The way they placed the Menorah waas an act of symbolism. notice how the angle it is at makes it appear as if it was pushed off the pedestall where the statue of the man holding the cross is situated. The messege is clear.

  • hm

    these are simply the 3 Kelipos Hatmeos trying to disturb us from bringing moshiach. we just got to stick out a toung on them and move on.

  • To Symbols

    You’ve got to be kidding, right?

    Since when was the Menorah ever meant to antagonize?

    The message is clear. They do not like Jews and they don’t want Moldova “run” by Jews. Laughable accusation if they weren’t so serious.

    Don’t mix up the aggressor with the victim. You’ve obviously known NO persecution in your life.

  • CHT

    The only reason they handled it carefully is not to drop it on their hands, foot or heads – although I would not mind if they did

  • Naomi

    There is no excuse for doing such a thing; but pls consider the fact that Moldova has not been on the ‘map’ for long and they have major issues. All I am trying to say is that they are not educated enough to realize that, what they did was not right.

  • Rachel

    How utterly disgusting to see this kind of open hate. I don’t know what broke my heart more, to see women smiling & encouraging the children to follow along with such hate or the sight of seeing a Menorah discarded in such a cruel way!

    I don’t believe the so-called Priest was Catholic…he looked to be Greek Orthodox but, I could be mistaken. Makes no nevermind I suppose. No matter the faith or belief using one Religion to defame or destroy another will always be wrong. For those misguilded people especially for the children I pray The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His face upon you and give you SHALOM

    I wish you all Chag Chanukah Sameach