Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin has condemned the recent bombings of two synagogues in Russia.
The premier’s statement was included in his Rosh Hashanah message to the country’s Jewish community.
“I’m using this opportunity to express my indignation about recent terrorist explosions at the synagogues in Moscow and Yaroslavl,” Chernomyrdin said.
He called synagogues Russia’s “national sacred places” and said that “an end should be put” to their desecration.
Chernomyrdin’s statement was the first public comment by a Russian official on the April bombing of the synagogue in Yaroslavl and last month’s attack on the recently reopened Lubavitch synagogue in Moscow.
The attacks caused no injuries, but both buildings were seriously damaged.
No one has claimed responsibility for either bombing.
Jewish leaders hailed the premier’s message.
“I’m happy that we received such a response from the prime minister,” said Pinchas Goldschmidt, chief rabbi of Moscow.
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