ISIS in Macedonia: a terrorist cell was revealed behind the arson in the synagogue

What initially appeared to be a local anti-Semitic incident, now turns out to be part of a broad terrorist infrastructure – the National Security Agency of North Macedonia announced yesterday (Friday) that the burning of the synagogue in the capital Skopje is directly related to the Islamic State (ISIS).

The attack on the synagogue took place on April 12, the day of the Orthodox Easter. Documentation from the security cameras released by the Israeli embassy reveals the moments of horror – two masked men dressed in motorcycle helmets are seen jumping over the fence of the compound, pouring fuel and setting fire to the front yard. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident and the damage to the building amounted to a charred entrance and minor damage only.

Following an intensive investigation, the security forces raided several properties and arrested seven people. According to the security agency, the detainees are part of a radical group ideologically identified with the global terror network of ISIS. The local police have already filed charges for terrorist offenses against two of those involved – men aged 21 and 38.

“The suspects are in custody for the continuation of the legal proceedings,” said police spokesman Gotsa Andrievsky in a videotaped statement.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Sa’ar, welcomed the arrests and thanked the North Macedonian authorities for their determined treatment. “The quick and determined action to bring the perpetrators to justice emphasizes North Macedonia’s commitment to the protection of the Jewish community,” Sa’ar wrote on his X account.

North Macedonia is a fairly small country in Europe, north of Greece. About 1.8 million citizens live in it, most of them Christians, and it is one of the poorest countries in Europe. In 2024, a change of government took place in the country, and a center-right government led by Christian Mickoski came to power instead of the left-wing government that ruled the country. Under his leadership, Macedonia became closer to Israel, and thus, for example, it avoided supporting a Palestinian state at the UN.

In 2020, Mizrahi herself briefly became the first Jewish minister in the country’s history, and now serves as an influential member of parliament. She tells about the political journey she went through as a politician who represents a small minority: “The beginning was difficult because my political opponents chose to use my religion as a point of weakness. From time to time there were also anti-Semitic outbursts. But to my delight, the reaction of the majority of the people revealed the true face of those politicians. And when you have a nation that supports you and makes it clear that you cannot speak that way to a Jewish politician – it gives you faith.”