(14 May 1998) English/Nat
A powerful bomb exploded outside a Moscow synagogue overnight on Wednesday injuring two people and blowing a hole in the side of the building.
Law enforcement officials said it was probably a terrorist act and the Chief Rabbi has appealed to the Russian government to crack down on antisemites.
The bombing follows a series of racially motivated attacks in the Russian capital.
A blast set off by about 200 grams of T-N-T caused substantial damage at the Lubavitch synagogue in the Marina Roshe area of central Moscow.
The attack happened at about eleven o’clock on Wednesday evening.
Just moments before about 50 worshippers had left the building after the end of a service to mark the spring festival of Lag Ba-omer.
Two workmen, who were building a new community centre at the back of the synagogue, were injured.
They were hurt by flying glass.
One of them was taken to hospital.
The police said it was probably a terrorist attack and members of the Israeli special service also inspected the site this morning.
Despite the rainy weather morning prayers were held outside the synagogue.
It attracted a large number of people who had come ahead of a march to celebrate the start of Lag Ba-omer.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"There is no question that this time it was antisemites. It was a very strong bomb. Windows in all the surrounding area were shattered. The bomb was heard a kilometre – half-a-mile away you heard the blast. It was professional and, no question, antisemitism. Maybe it was in connection with our holiday. They wanted to ruin our holiday but we’re going to celebrate anyway."
SUPER CAPTION: Beril Lazar, Chief Rabbi of the CIS
With the end of the Soviet Union, institutional antisemitism abated, but Jews are still fighting against general prejudice.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We just thank God that by reading the Torah and saying thanks for the special miracle he did for us and at the same time we ask the Russian government and officials to stand up and do something for the situation. This is the third time the synagogue has been hurt. The first time was when the synagogue was completely burnt by arson, and twice there was a bomb at the site. We hope this is the last time."
SUPER CAPTION: Beril Lazar, Chief Rabbi C-I-S
Nevertheless the bomb blast did not deter busloads of men, women and children turning up to take part in the annual Lag Ba-omer parade through the streets of Moscow.
But this year the security was tighter and the marchers were accompanied by police with tracker dogs checking the area for explosive devices.
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