Representatives of the Jewish Community in the Republic of Moldova claim that the 12th-grade textbook History of the Romanians and Universal History contains methodological and historical inaccuracies. They argue that the textbook distorts history and attempts to minimize the Antonescu regime's responsibility for crimes against Jews. Additionally, the textbook reportedly lacks accurate figures and data about the Holocaust, according to the Jewish Community.
At a press conference hosted by IPN, Alexander Bilinkis, President of the Jewish Community of Moldova, stated that falsifying history and attempting to downplay the Holocaust is an extremely serious issue. Bilinkis emphasized that the 12th-grade history textbook ignores the conclusions of numerous international studies on the Holocaust.
Bilinkis expressed concern that the textbook tries to justify the Antonescu regime by claiming that it did not participate in the mass deportation of Jews. However, in reality, this regime carried out a true genocide of Jews and Roma even before the Nazis decided on the extermination of the Jewish population in Europe, Bilinkis noted.
He also pointed out that mass crimes and violent deportations are downplayed in the textbook, which only includes general phrases that conceal the cruelty of these events. Most importantly, Bilinkis highlighted that the textbook does not mention the total number of Jews killed in Romanian-controlled territories, estimated between 280,000 and 380,000 people according to research. Moreover, the book portrays Marshal Antonescu as a modernizer who opposed the anti-Semitic legacy, a portrayal Bilinkis deems false. Antonescu not only continued anti-Semitic policies but also initiated the mass murder and deportation of Jews, he said.
Historian Roman Rabinovici stated that the Holocaust is a phenomenon that must be studied through various factors such as causes, stages, consequences, and those responsible, none of which are covered in the textbook. Rabinovici criticized the use of outdated sources over 50 years old, which prevent readers from forming an accurate overall understanding.
Rabinovici, who also curates the Orhei Jewish History Museum, pointed out that while the textbook mentions the number of camps and ghettos, it omits that they were established under Antonescu’s orders. It also fails to mention the camps created in the Transnistrian region, where over 150,000 Jews were killed in mass exterminations.
Aliona Grossu, Director of the Jewish Community of Moldova, reminded that in 2016, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova adopted a Declaration recognizing the conclusions of the final report by the International Commission chaired by Elie Wiesel. This marked an important step toward subsequent legal improvements, including amendments to the Penal Code and the Law on Freedom of Expression, which categorically prohibited Holocaust denial, minimization, or the glorification of Nazis.
“This textbook violates the principles against Holocaust denial and the glorification of war criminals. Portraying the Antonescu regime in a favorable light is a dangerous form of revisionism. Omitting or minimizing data about the Holocaust is a direct violation of our international commitments”, said Aliona Grossu.
Note: IPN Agency offers the right of reply to individuals mentioned in news reports based on statements made at this press conference, including by facilitating another press conference under similar conditions.
