Israeli Ambassador Ran Gidor responds to the sermon of the Deacon Archil Mindiashvili, noting that it contained outrageous anti-Semitic messages.

“I was shocked to hear Deacon Archil Mindiashvili’s recently published sermon, which included some outrageously anti-Semitic messages in the context of discouraging his congregation from getting vaccinated against the COVID19 pandemic.

This follows no less than 3 previous anti-Semitic sermons, delivered in just 8 months by Ioane Gamrekeli, Metropolitan of Kutaisi-Gaenati (20th December 2020), Ilia Karkadze, Deacon of Trinity Church, Kutaisi (4th January 2021) and Bishop Saba Gigiberia (8th February 2021).

Georgia is not an anti-Semitic society and Jews have always been welcome in this country. Our flourishing bilateral trade, cultural exchange, academic cooperation and tourism links are a testimony to the strength of this 26-century-old friendship.

However, a succession of anti-Jewish statements delivered by such senior clergymen is a source of major concern and ought to be addressed accordingly. The fact that Deacon Mindiashvili’s incitement comes so soon after the 5th July violent attacks on journalists, LGBT activists and civil society organizations – is even more alarming and requires an immediate reaction.

Against this background, the Israeli Embassy is reassured by the Georgian Patriarchate’s public message (24th August) that “…any radical statement and anti-Semitic views by our spiritual fathers are totally inadmissible for the Georgian Orthodox Church”. We would equally welcome a similar reassurance from the relevant Georgian government bodies.

Furthermore, this latest incitement demonstrates once again the urgency of Georgia in joining the ranks of more than 30 other nations & organizations (including the EU, US, UK, Germany), which have already adopted the non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism promulgated by IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance).

Next year Israel and Georgia will mark the 30th anniversary since the establishment of our bilateral diplomatic relations. We are looking forward to mark the happy occasion with numerous new joint projects, agreements and initiatives. This will also be a fitting opportunity to acknowledge the personal contribution of His Holiness Ilia 2nd, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, who is justifiably considered as a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people. We therefore trust that the Georgian Orthodox Church, under his inspired leadership, will do everything in its power to marginalize those dark voices spreading hatred, bigotry and intolerance, and encourage instead a message of fraternity, compassion and love”, - reads the statement of Ambassador.