15min.lt
A strong upsurge in anti-Semitism in Lithuania and the world has been noted recently. In early August the Lithuanian Jewish Community closed the synagogue because of possible danger, and a few days ago a swastika made of soil appeared at LJC headquarters. Vytautas Magnus University historian Dr. Linas Venclauskas says the wave of anti-Semitism might have been set in motion by recent disputes on historical figures, but won’t deny the possibility these incidents could increase in number.
Sunday a swastika was arranged in soil poured on the sidewalk next to the LJC building. LJC chairwoman Faina Kukliansky commented the incident truly caused alarm, especially because it came the week before Lithuania’s Day of Remembrance of Victims of Genocide.
Recent attacks against Jewish communities have been noted around the world. In the USA the number of shootings and other violent attacks inside synagogues has increased.
The Kantor Center established by European Jewish Congress president Moshe Kantor issued figures violent attacks and hate incidents against Jews throughout the world last year were up 13 percent compared to 2017, going from 342 to 387. The Center found 13 Jews were murdered in anti-Semitic attacks throughout the world last year.
The Center’s research was actually favorable to Eastern Europe. An increase in attacks on Jews was found in the USA, Great Britain, France and Germany, but not in Eastern Europe.
This year could turn out much differently, though.
Vytautas Magnus University historian Dr. Linas Venclauskas told 15min.lt that the recent attacks on the Lithuanian Jewish Community are partially the consequence of some on-going national discussions. He said it might have been provoked by arguments over historical figures such as Kazys Škirpa and Jonas Noreika, figures associated with Lithuanian anti-Semitism.
“It is said [Jonas Noreika] also contributed to the Holocaust. Although he didn’t directly shoot or kill anyone, the concept of the Holocaust in the international context is now considered a bit more broadly and inclusively.
“For one portion of society these are people giving rise to pride, so it’s natural that a portion of society, in line with all the principles of conspiracy theory, believe this is a Jewish interest, a misunderstanding of the interests of Lithuanians, a desire to ruin important mid-20th century figures of Lithuanian history,” Dr. Venclauskas said.
And he thinks this might not be the last such incident: “I don’t want this, but it could be that these kinds of attacks will increase.”
Full interview in Lithuanian here.