Synagogue in Warsaw attacked with firebombs, police launch probe
- In Reports
- 11:36 AM, May 02, 2024
- Myind Staff
An unknown perpetrator attacked the main synagogue in Poland's capital city of Warsaw with firebombs, as reported by the news agency Associated Press. Poland's Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich confirmed that the Nożyk Synagogue sustained minimal damage, and no injuries were reported.
Schudrich reported that the attack occurred with the synagogue targeted by three firebombs or Molotov cocktails.
The chief rabbi added that the police launched an investigation to determine the perpetrator of the attack, although it remained unclear who carried it out. According to the Associated Press report, a black area, resulting from where the firebombs hit, was visible near a ground-floor window of the synagogue, which is the only surviving prewar Jewish house of prayer in Warsaw.
Polish President Andrzej Duda condemned the "shameful attack" on the synagogue in Warsaw in a post on X. He stated, "I condemn the shameful attack on the Nożyk Synagogue in Warsaw. There is no place for anti-Semitism in Poland! There is no place for hatred in Poland!"
On the 20th anniversary of Poland joining the European Union with nine other countries, the incident occurred. Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski expressed relief that no one was hurt in the attack.
He questioned the motives behind the disruption on the anniversary of Poland's EU accession, stating on X, "Thank God no one was hurt. I wonder who is trying to disrupt the anniversary of our accession to the EU."
Foreign Minister Sikorski suggested that the perpetrators behind the attack on the synagogue in Warsaw might be the same individuals responsible for defacing Stars of David in Paris.
Hours after the attack, the incident site saw the arrival of ambassadors from the United States (US) and Israel, accompanied by Jewish community leaders and Polish officials representing the president, the national parliament, and the city government, to condemn the attack, according to the report.
During a press conference, US Ambassador Mark Brzezinski stated, "The Nożyk synagogue is a symbol of survival, and we stand in solidarity with Nożyk today and tomorrow."
Image source: AP News
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