FLASH
Shkruar nga Prof.dr. Skënder Asani
The attack on the Jewish Community in Macedonia is an alarm for society and a test for the state in the face of hatred, radicalism and the threat to coexistence...
The attempted arson attack on the Jewish Community building in Macedonia is a deeply disturbing and unacceptable act, which goes beyond an isolated incident and directly affects the normative foundations on which a democratic society is built. This act of anti-Semitism is not only an attack on a religious building, but also an attempt to violate coexistence, dignity and the culture of mutual respect, which constitute the pillars of civic order. For this reason, it is necessary to act preventively, through early identification and prevention of phenomena of hatred and radicalization in society.
At a time when global tensions, especially those in the Middle East, carry the risk of emotional and ideological reflections in other social spaces, the task of intellectual elites and society itself is to maintain calm, rationality and public responsibility. The transfer of distant conflicts to our social reality constitutes a serious threat to the social cohesion and democratic stability of the state. In this regard, preventive action should be a key instrument, through education, institutional coordination and strengthening public awareness.
In this context, our response must be clear, firm and unequivocal: strong condemnation of any form of anti-Semitism and any manifestation of hatred or violence on ethnic or religious grounds. We must not allow our society to be engulfed in a spiral of extremism and manipulation that often emanates from informal groups and irresponsible discourses. On the contrary, a broad civic and institutional mobilization is needed to protect the values of coexistence and to prevent any attempt at social destabilization, where prevention must be the first line of defense.
At the same time, this event requires an immediate and efficient response from state institutions. The competent bodies must act with full urgency to investigate the case in depth and identify the perpetrators, so that they can be brought to justice without delay. In parallel, institutions must establish long-term preventive mechanisms that will prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future. Impunity in such cases not only undermines trust in institutions, but also creates space for the repetition of similar acts.
In this spirit, solidarity with the Jewish community is not only an ethical act, but also a civic obligation. My contact with the community leader, Pepo Levi, was a direct expression of this moral and intellectual commitment. The expression of concern and support in these difficult moments is not only a symbolic gesture, but a confirmation of our unwavering stance against any form of hatred and division, as well as a call for preventive action in the future.
In conclusion, this event should serve as a call for collective reflection and for strengthening the protective mechanisms of our society. Only through vigilance, solidarity and commitment to universal values, together with a strong preventive approach, can we ensure that such acts do not find a place in our reality and that evil does not take shape among us. In these moments, our stand with the Jewish community is clear evidence that our society chooses coexistence over hatred.
*Prof. Dr. Skënder Asani, Director of the Institute of Spiritual and Cultural Heritage of Albanians
Skopje, 13.04.2026
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