The European Jewish Congress unequivocally condemns the attack last night at a Moscow synagogue, where eight Jews were stabbed during their evening prayers, and calls for Russian regional and federal officials to make real and concrete commitments to combat the rise in anti-Semitic, racist and xenophobic attacks in the country.
The assailant left a trail of eight wounded with one rabbinical student in critical condition, and was finally subdued only due to the courageous efforts of the Rabbi and his son.
Russia has seen an alarming recent rise in skinhead violence directed against Jews, foreigners, Russians of Asian origin and other minorities, with many of the attacks taking place in Moscow’s capital.
The European Jewish Congress calls on Russian authorities to use all its judicial and police power to stop and fully prosecute the groups behind these attacks. The Russian government has the knowledge and the ability to identify the perpetrators, and must act quickly.
The European Jewish Congress expresses its solidarity with the families of the victims affected.
