Bulgaria Condemns Vandalism of Jewish Sites in Varna and Burgas

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Thursday that it strongly condemns the acts of vandalism that occurred at the synagogue in Varna and the Monument of Gratitude in Burgas (both on the Black Sea coast). The latter monument commemorates the rescue of Bulgarian Jews during World War II.

The statement adds that such deliberate acts of malice are unacceptable and must not be allowed to cast a shadow over Bulgaria’s historical achievements, of which the Bulgarian people are justifiably proud. It adds that such actions intend to sow discord among Bulgarian citizens and thus cannot be left unpunished, CE Report quotes BTA.

The Ministry calls on the relevant authorities to swiftly identify and prosecute those responsible.

On Wednesday, the Center for Jewish-Bulgarian Cooperation Alef told the Bulgarian News Agency that the Monument of Gratitude in the centre of Burgas had been desecrated for the second time in two months. The monument, which was erected ten years ago by the Alef centre and the descendants of Bulgarian Jews who were rescued during the Holocaust, is dedicated to the Burgas residents who opposed the deportation of their fellow citizens to death camps in 1943. According to the organisation, the monument was sprayed with green paint this time, and the inscriptions and symbols were erased.

(BTA Photo)