Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Kishinev Pogrom, 1903

Kishinev Pogrom 1903

Thesis: From1881 to 1921, there were large scale mob attacks against Jews. However, the Kishinev Pogrom left a lasting impact on Jewish minds.

· Sunday afternoon – a crowd of men appeared on square Novyi Bazar, acting frenzied

· Shouting to beat the Jews

· Systematic destruction, pillaging, and robbing of Jewish houses and shops

· If any Jew resisted, they were beaten

· Christians too added into the riots against Jews

· 5 P.M. – 1st Jew was murdered; beaten to death

· Jews gave4 up all attempts at self-defense

· Jewish butchers on Novyi Bazar fought back and beat the attackers

· But police came and arrested the Jews

· 10 P.M. – seven more murdered à Jews were in “indescribable fear”

· Weapons used: axes, iron bars, clubs

· All men wore same outfit: red workshirts

· All Jewish houses painted with white chalk

· Organization of permanent info and communication network among various gangs

· 49 Jews murdered in Kishinev à most suffered abuse and torture

· All layers of society joined in the pogrom

· If Jews offered nothing to gangs, or if the gangs were in murderous mood, the men were beaten and killed

· Next morning – Jewish band hurried to Governor to plead for protection

· Governor refused to accept telegram/help

· Therefore, gangs could count on support of highest authority

· Gruesome acts of violence spread like wildfire

· Officials and policemen enjoyed vodka and beating women until they bled

· Inhumanities committed during pogrom

· Eyewitnesses and testimony of Christian physicians and Russian newspapers

· Synagogues stormed and plundered; and the Torah was defiled

· Barbarism is appalling

No comments:

Post a Comment