Is the historic Jewish cemetery in Gomel facing destruction?

This week, the JTA reported that a residential building is planned to be constructed in Gomel (Republic of Belarus) on the site of an old Jewish cemetery. The construction permit was granted despite a joint declaration between Belarus and the United States on the preservation of Jewish heritage sites within the republic.

The World Jewish Congress (WJC), which initiated the declaration, responded immediately to the situation. Robert Singer, CEO of the WJC, stated yesterday, August 30, that "the WJC is concerned and disappointed to learn that the Belarusian authorities have approved a construction plan in Gomel on a site that may have once been a Jewish cemetery."

Robert Singer emphasized: "The WJC has maintained a constructive and positive dialogue with the Belarusian government over recent years, including with the President, Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and hopes to maintain the same level of communication and mutual understanding on this matter. If the site is indeed confirmed to have been a Jewish cemetery, it must be preserved. We will continue to monitor the situation and urge the Belarusian authorities to suspend construction plans until a proper investigation is conducted to determine whether this territory is indeed a Jewish heritage site."

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) also opposed the development and destruction of Jewish heritage sites in Belarus. "Preserving memory and supporting Jewish heritage is vital for our people, regardless of their country of residence. Furthermore, at first glance, this case involves the desecration of graves and burial sites," the EAJC noted.

The President of the EAJC, Michael Mirilashvili, stated in this regard: "We are being continuously updated on the events in Gomel by the Union of Belarusian Jewish Public Associations and Communities (UBJPAC). According to the latest reports, construction work on the site has not yet commenced. Currently, the city's Jewish community, together with the municipal authorities and the development company, is engaged in dialogue and awaiting the results of an expert survey of the designated construction area. The survey is intended to determine whether this is a Jewish cemetery, after which appropriate decisions will be made. I should note that if the expert assessment is positive, we expect the local authorities to prevent the continuation of construction work until a solution is found that ensures the preservation of Jewish heritage in Gomel."

The UBJPAC also expressed its position on the matter: "Preserving the memory of those who are no longer with us, of the Jews who lived on Belarusian soil for centuries and left a significant mark on Belarusian history, has always been, is, and will remain a priority for the UBJPAC. The Union is closely monitoring the situation in Gomel and is in constant contact with representatives of the local Jewish community. A century and a half has passed since the closure of the Gomel Jewish cemetery in 1885. Most of the remains (if they were indeed at this location) have, unfortunately, been lost due to prior construction. However, this does not justify current developers repeating the actions of their predecessors."

The position of the UBJPAC is clear: "the work must be halted (which has been done), a thorough investigation using specialized equipment must be conducted, and any remains discovered during excavation must be reburied in the active Jewish cemetery of Gomel."