European Jewish leaders ‘deeply disturbed’ by Passover arson attack on North Macedonia’s only synagogue

“Targeting a synagogue is an attack on religious freedom and on the safety of Jewish communities.

The Beth Yaakov Synagogue’ (Image: X/ Combat Antisemitism Movement)[Missing Credit]

“We urge religious leaders, institutions, and citizens alike to condemn this act clearly and unequivocally.

“Only through shared responsibility and vigilance can we ensure that hatred, fear and ignorance do not prevail over reason, humanity and justice.”

Meanwhile, Mucunski said: “The arson attack on the Jewish community building and synagogue in Skopje - on Easter - is utterly unacceptable and strongly condemned. There is no place for such acts.

“An investigation is underway, and those responsible will be held accountable. Our society stands firm on tolerance and multiethnic coexistence.

And the Israeli ambassador to North Macedonia, Vivian Aisen, called the attack a “deeply troubling antisemitic incident in North Macedonia - the first since 1945 - [which struck] at the very values of coexistence the Jewish community upholds”.

She added: “I stand with the community and trust the authorities will act swiftly to bring those responsible to justice.

Skopje has a very small Jewish population of only around 200 people, accounting for nearly all the Jews living in North Macedonia as a whole. Prior to the Second World War, the city’s Jewish population stood at around 3,000 but, in 1943, 98 per cent of the community was deported.