Report Exposes Antisemitic Rhetoric on Social Media by Bulgarian Ultra-Nationalists

A report released this week exposes antisemitic rhetoric used on social media by the far-right activists behind the Lukov March in Bulgaria, a torch-lit ceremony that consists of nationalists and neo-Nazis from across Europe.

The annual February march in Sofia is held in remembrance of Gen. Hristo Lukov, a Nazi ally who sent 11,300 Jews to the Nazi death camp of Treblinka in Poland.

The demonstration's organizers have claimed not to be antisemitic, but comments displayed on its official Facebook page convey Jew-hatred among advocates against both Bulgarian and worldwide Jewry, according to a report from the World Jewish Congress.

For example, a Facebook post by the organizers, reacting to WJC efforts last year to stop the march, targeted the organization's CEO and Executive Vice President Robert Singer: "No mister, with a name of a brand of sewing machines, the problem of Bulgaria is not Lukov March. The problem is that there are people with too long noses like you, who are burning with desire, snooping where they do not belong. But be sure that whatever you do, General. Lukov will receive a worthy honor from the Bulgarian youth!"

The report came as last month a stone was thrown through the windows of a Sofia synagogue.

There are between 2,000 and 6,000 Jews in Bulgaria, according to Hebrew University.