Already crippled by coronavirusand the hiatus which has blindsided the tourist industry, the Lithuanianeconomy is tragically scheduled for another setback, writes Pieter Muller. At the heart of the complication is an ill-conceivedplan by the Lithuanian government to constructa conference centre, on the grounds of an OldJewish cemetery in Vilnius (Shnipishok), Lithuania.
The proposal has been opposed by international leadersand religious representatives of all faiths. More recently, EvangelicalChristians have denounced the government proposal arguing that the constructionof the conference centre is a clear desecration of the cemetery anddishonorable to the deceased who are buried on the plot.
Dr. Mathew Anthony Harper,a talk show host host on a Christian radio network which has over 20 millionlisteners stated that evangelical Christians will boycott tourism in Lithuania,if plans to construct the conference centre are not cancelled. According to a2016 count, evangelicals are represented by approximately 619 millionmembers.
The oldJewish cemetery in Shnipishok was the first Jewishcemetery established in Vilna. It is also the final resting place of tens ofthousands of Jewish scholars. Accordingly, the internationalJewish community have rallied to oppose theconstruction of the conference centre.
The impact of thegovernment’s decision to proceed with the development of the conference centremeans that thousands of jobs in the tourist sector in Lithuania will be lost.Additionally, EU politicians have expressed concern that the government is fanning anti-semitic sentiments,in violation of the European Union Charter of Human Rights.
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Pieter Muller
Human Rights World Monitor
Website: https://scottdonaldinfo.kinja.com/lithuanian-government-seen-as-fostering-anti-semitism-1843821582
