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Pro-Russian Parties Stoking Antisemitism in Bulgaria, Jewish Leaders Warn
Supporters of Hamas demonstrating in the Bulgarian capital Sofia. Photo: Screenshot
The tiny Jewish community in Bulgaria is facing a wave of antisemitism stoked by pro-Russian parties, two of its leaders have said.
In the wake of the Hamas pogrom in southern Israel on Oct. 7, there had been “an explosion of left-wing antisemitism, in which anti-Zionism and anti-imperialism are layered, mixed with hatred for western Europe,” Solomon Bali, a vice-president of the B’nai B’rith organization, told the Euractiv news outlet.
Bali identified Russia as the key source of the hostile propaganda targeting Jews in the formerly communist Balkan state. “Memes, videos, and propaganda flood social media, and much of it comes from pro-Russian sources,” he noted.
Maxim Delchev — executive director of the Bulgarian Jewish organization Shalom — echoed Bali’s analysis, adding that Bulgarian far right parties, which have posed a threat to the country’s Jews in the recent past, were less visible in the current antisemitic campaign.
“They express support for Hamas and Palestine, which goes beyond what is permissible,” Delchev remarked, observing that the antisemitic propaganda “comes from left and far left groups and related social media profiles, who fiercely support Russia in the war in Ukraine.” Bali separately commented that the left-wing parties had shown a disturbing lack of sympathy for the Israeli victims of the Hamas onslaught.
Both Bali and Delchev pointed out that the two pro-Russian parties in the Bulgarian parliament — the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), a successor to the Communist Party, and the hardline nationalist Varazhdane (“Revival”) Party — had boycotted a vote last month that resulted in the passage of a statement of support for Israel. The statement asserted that Israel’s military response to the Oct. 7 atrocities “is an inevitable and necessary reciprocal response — an act to protect the life and dignity of the Israelis and the right of existence of the State of Israel itself.” It was passed by 124 votes with no opposition.
Delchev characterized Bulgarian laws on hate speech as weak, arguing that the “legislative gap” needed to be closed. The Jewish community of approximately 1,100 is currently awaiting the outcome of a legal complaint filed with the public prosecutor by Shalom concerning an antisemitic image that went viral on Bulgarian internet channels over the summer.
The image showed Bulgaria’s Jewish former foreign minister, Solomon Passy, wearing a striped concentration camp uniform while being manhandled by four Nazi German soldiers. The accompanying text quipped, “If you don’t want Russian gas, let us supply you with ours.”
Concern among Bulgarian Jews over growing antisemitism predates the Hamas pogrom. Throughout the year, Jewish leaders have protested the inflammatory statements of supporters of Varazhdane — which emerged as the third largest party in parliament following April’s general election — including placards on display at a demonstration backing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine that equated Zionism with Nazism.
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Anti-Israel Activists Flood Streets of US Cities to Disrupt Fourth of July Celebrations
Illustrative: Anti-Israel demonstrators clash with New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers during a protest on April 18, 2024. Photo: Reuters Connect
Anti-Israel groups organized fiery and raucous demonstrations in both New York and Philadelphia to disrupt Fourth of July celebrations marking US Independence Day on Thursday, drawing attention to the ongoing war in Gaza while showing their antipathy toward the United States.
Organizations including the Philly Palestine Coalition, Coalition for Justice in Palestine, and Within Our Lifetime called on their supporters to reject America’s annual celebration of national independence and patriotism in favor of showing support for Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group that slaughtered over 1,200 people throughout southern Israel on Oct. 7.
Protesters responded by flooding streets and parks in Philadelphia and New York City, waving Palestinian flags and carrying signs denigrating both Israel and the United States.
In Philadelphia, roughly 400 protesters marched into Rittenhouse Square, bellowing chants such as “long live the intifada!” and “empire will fall!” The demonstrators proudly waved flags representing the Palestinians, Hamas, and the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah while tossing American flags on the ground and lighting them on fire.
“This July 4th, join us as we stand with the resistance and support Palestine, not AmeriKKKA! We don’t celebrate the legacy of genocide, colonialism, and slavery that July 4th symbolizes, but struggle for true LIBERATION for all ” the Philly Palestine Coalition wrote on Instagram earlier this week.
In New York, hundreds of pro-Hamas agitators gathered in Washington Square Park on Independence Day to participate in the “Flood Manhattan for July 4th” demonstration, chanting slogans such as “there is only one solution, intifada revolution!” and “US imperialists, number one terrorists!” The activists then marched through the park, screaming chants and carrying banners that read “resistance until return” and “globalize the intifada” each of which represent calls to enact violence against Jews. In one video circulated on social media, radicals placed the American flag on the ground and incinerated it.
“This country emphasizes freedom and independence, but the truth is it’s only independence for whites,” Besan Ahmad, a Philadelphia-based organizer, told WHYY News. “And the independence of those whites came from black, brown, and indigenous people.”
The July 4 protests represented a broader pattern of leftist agitators disrupting traditions and celebrations to draw attention to the anti-Israel cause. Last month, pro-Palestinian activists obstructed and hijacked Pride Month parades in major cities across the United States. Activists have also disrupted concerts, festivals, and parties to show their solidarity with the Hamas terrorist group.
Beyond Israel, the demonstrations also revealed a shared animus toward the US. Protesters have repeatedly chanted “death to America” and unfavorably compared US police and the Israel Defense Forces to the Ku Klux Klan. The activists, who typically brand themselves as “anti-colonial” or “anti-imperialist,” have often praised countries such as Russia or Iran, the latter of which backs Hamas and Hezbollah and has routinely called for the destruction of both Israel and the United States.
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Man Arrested, Charged With Hate Crime for Vandalizing Kosher Bagel Shop in Miami
A flag owned by Holy Bagels & Pizzeria that was vandalized on June 16, 2024. Photo: Miami PD.
The Miami Police Department on Tuesday arrested the man allegedly responsible for the antisemitic vandalism of a Jewish-owned kosher bagel shop in downtown Miami last month.
Kenneth Guerrera, 28, was charged with criminal mischief with prejudice, a hate crime charge, for vandalizing Holy Bagels & Pizzeria on June 16.
The kosher bagel and pizza shop was vandalized along with a flag outside the store’s entrance. The vandal spray painted “Free Palestine” and “Stop Genocide” on the front door and windows of the restaurant. The suspect also tore down from outside the store an Israeli-American flag that said “Stand With Israel” and spray painted “Free Palestine” on it. A number of volunteers helped clean off the graffiti after the vandalism, including Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and US District Court Judge Roy Altman.
Miami’s Local 10 news reported that a police officer in the Miami area identified Guerrera after seeing a police wanted flyer as well as surveillance video from the incident. Police said that after his arrest, Guerrera agreed to speak with detectives without an attorney, but his full confession was not shared with the public.
“The apprehension is a reminder that we will not tolerate such despicable acts of hate and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our community remains a safe and inclusive place for all,” said Chief of Police Manuel Morales after Guerrera’s arrest.
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Palestinian Authority Pays for the Murder of Jews
PA President Mahmoud Abbas gestures during a meeting in Ramallah, in the West Bank August 18, 2020. Photo: REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman/Pool
An Israeli Arab stabbed two Israelis yesterday in the city of Karmiel, murdering one and seriously wounding another.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) rewards the families of Palestinian terrorists who are killed while perpetrating their crimes with a 6,000-shekel one-time reward, and 1,400 shekels monthly for life.
Since the terrorist who committed the attack yesterday was an Israeli Arab, the PA will provide his family with that amount plus 21% — for a total of 1,700 shekels a month for life.
Palestinian Media Watch exposed the Palestinians’ “Pay-for-Slay” program in 2011, and the world has condemned it ever since.
Despite this, PA leader Mahmoud Abbas has said dozens of times (and PA television has broadcast this) that even if the PA has one penny left, it will continue to pay prisoners and Martyrs.
Ephraim D. Tepler is a contributor to Palestinian Media Watch (PMW). Itamar Marcus is PMW’s Founder and Director. A version of this article originally appeared at PMW.
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