An attempted arson attack targeting the Jewish Community building and the “Bet Yaakov” synagogue in Skopje has drawn strong condemnation from authorities and religious leaders, who described the incident as a threat to peace and interfaith coexistence.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of April 12, is currently under investigation by relevant institutions in North Macedonia.
The Commission for Relations with Religious Communities, together with representatives of five religious communities, issued a joint statement denouncing the act and calling for calm, responsibility, and continued mutual respect among citizens.
Olivera Trajkovska, head of the commission, urged the public to preserve interfaith harmony, emphasizing that coexistence and mutual respect remain among the country’s most valuable societal principles.
The head of the Jewish Community, Pepo Levi, described the incident as rare and deeply concerning, warning against potential external influences and stressing the importance of safeguarding the country’s tradition of religious harmony.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Islamic Religious Community, Shaqir Fetahu, firmly condemned the act, stating that Islam strictly prohibits attacks against religious sites of any faith. He reiterated that peaceful coexistence remains strong among religious communities in the country.
Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine those responsible, as leaders across communities call for unity and vigilance against religious intolerance.
