MOSCOW—An arson fire was set and swastikas sprayed at the largest yeshiva in Russia on Friday just ahead of Pessah (Passover) celebration.
The World Jewish Congress said the attack appears to be the work of ‘’neo-Nazi elements.’’
No one was reported injured in the early Friday fire at the Torat Chaim talmudic school in an eastern Moscow suburb, Association Press reported.
According to Moscow Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt’s spokeswoman, the fire was set in the storage area for kosher meat and that the swastikas were drawn at the entrance to the Yeshiva.
There were about 60 students, rabbis and guests in the building at the time of the incident.
World Jewish Congress CEO Robert Singer expressed anger and horror at the arson attack.
“The entire international Jewish community is horrified by this vicious attack by what appears to be neo-Nazi elements,” said Singer. “We are deeply grateful that no one was injured in this cowardly incident and hope that the Russian authorities will do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators swiftly to justice. I wish the teachers and students at the Torat Chaim Yeshiva, and all Jews around the world, a beautiful and peaceful Passover free of further violence.”