Skopje, 11 March 2025 (MIA) – A commemorative event marking 82 years since the deportation of 7,144 Macedonian Jews to the Treblinka camp was held Tuesday at the monument at the former Monopole Tobacco factory in Skopje, where Jewish families from Skopje, Bitola and Shtip were rounded up at the temporary transit camp before being deported to the death camp in occupied Poland in late March.

After March 11, 1943, 98 percent of the Jewish population in Macedonia will never again see the Macedonian sun, said Pepo Levi, president of the Jewish Community in the country speaking at the event.

“Every single one of the 7,144 Jews will end up in the gas chambers in Treblinka. 50 million people died in WWII, including six million Jews. Unfortunately, ideas for the destruction of Jews still exist. The world had paid a huge price for the hesitation to prevent Hitler. Now more than ever it is important the world to show solidarity honouring the victims of the Holocaust and decisiveness in thwarting emerging antisemitism,” stated Levi.

As he said, antisemitism, xenophobia and fascist statements have become an everyday occurrence “in the heart of Europe” and “in various forms they are being awaken in the Balkans, including Macedonia.”

“We have to put an end to hatred, humiliation and insults, and to senseless wars,” Levi urged.

According to the Israeli Ambassador in Skopje, Simona Frankel, Macedonia had lost the highest percentage of Jews compared to any other country in the world, “almost 98 percent were exterminated during the Holocaust and only 200 Macedonian Jews survived by the end of the war.”

“Before the war, the Jewish communities in Skopje, Bitola and Shtip had enjoyed a peaceful life full of culture and tradition and freedom of religion as well. It was enabled through mutual respect with the other communities. Although small, the community nowadays enjoys the same level of respect and cooperation with the government and the administration, as proven by the organization of this event,” said Frankel.

According to her, the history of perseverance and multiculturalism of North Macedonia is a testament of the strength of unity and power of coexistence.

Israel at the beginning of March took over the presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, said the Ambassador commending North Macedonia for joining the organization and supporting the declaration on curbing antisemitism.

“Today is the day when we, as people and as humanity, confirm we will not allow history from repeating, never again,” said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in his address at today’s event.

“On this day in March, the then fascist Bulgarian occupying government, in coordination with the Nazi authorities, had ordered the arrest and deportation of all Jews from the territory of what was then Vardar Macedonia. 7,144 men, women and children had been forcefully taken to the temporary camp in Skopje. An entire community, whole families, whole generations were lost… When evil spreads, when injustice spreads, when violence becomes the rule, if people remain silent, then evil wins. Our duty today, and any other day, is not to allow new generations to grow up without knowing the truth, not to allow hatred to find a fertile ground. We must fight against any form of antisemitism, discrimination and hatred and to teach out children that tolerance, humanity and solidarity are the foundation of a just society,” said Mickoski.

Macedonia, he added, is a country of diversity, which has always been the home of various cultures, religions, and people and our strength lies here.

“Although almost destroyed during the Holocaust, the Jewish community remains a part of our history, our everyday lives, our future, our cultural heritage and our awareness. Today, standing here, let our memory be a call for the future as well. Let their tragedy be a lesson to us. Never again,” he said.

Delegations from the government, the assembly, the President’s office, officials of the Jewish community and the Fund of the Holocaust of Jews from Macedonia, ambassadors and WWI veterans laid wreaths at the monument honouring Macedonian Jews at the former Monopole Tobacco factory.

Photo: MIA