For Immediate Release
Toronto, August 26, 1996... B'nai Brith Canada expressed grave concern following the bombing of Moscow's Marina Roscha Synagogue. It was the third suspicious, anti-Semitic incident to befall Russia's Jewish community in the past two months and the latest of a series of synagogue bombings in recent years. The Russian Security Service reported that the bomb was placed against the outside southern wall of the three-storey brick building - the wall facing Israel and toward which congregants pray. The bomb contained 284 grams of explosives. It shattered windows, collapsed part of the roof, and toppled Torah scrolls onto the floor. Usually the site of late night study and prayer, the synagogue was empty at the time and as a result there were no injuries.
Marina Roscha, Moscow's largest and most active synagogue, was reopened by the Lubavitch community in June after it was destroyed by fire in 1993. Police ruled that blaze to have been arson, but made no arrests. No group has claimed responsibility for Thursday's attack and police have yet to find any leads.
Frank Dimant, Executive Vice-President of B'nai Brith Canada, issued the following statement: “B'nai Brith Canada is shocked and saddened by this latest strike at Moscow's Jewish community but thankful that no one was hurt. Clearly an act of terrorism, this attack is even more disturbing in light of the revival of Jewish life in Russia. It further reveals the extent to which anti-Semitic forces operate in Russia and should be a wakening call to the world Jewish community to press the Russian authorities to deal with this problem seriously and effectively.”
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