US Envoy Warns Lithuania Against Building Congress Center on Jewish Cemetery
US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Rabbi Yehuda Kaplon has strongly warned the Lithuanian government against plans to convert a derelict Soviet-era sports arena, built on a historic Vilnius Jewish cemetery, into a conference center.
The struggle over the future of the ancient Jewish cemetery in Snipiskes, Vilnius, is escalating. Following a recent demonstration in the Lithuanian capital demanding the revival of plans to convert an abandoned Soviet-era concert and sports hall into a convention center, the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaplon, has strongly opposed the initiative, warning the Lithuanian government against further desecration of the holy site.
During last week's protest, organized by the "National Forum" movement, demonstrators demanded that the government advance the renovation of the Soviet structure. This comes despite the Lithuanian parliament postponing its final decision on the site's future until autumn due to intense public controversy.
A Sacred Site Under Threat
The Soviet-era building stands directly in the heart of the historic Snipiskes Jewish cemetery, where the Vilna Gaon was originally buried. In May, the Lithuanian parliament debated renovating the structure into a national congress center, which would theoretically integrate commemorative elements of Jewish and Lithuanian history.
However, Jewish organizations worldwide strongly oppose the plan, arguing that any further development on the site will disturb remaining graves and perpetuate the desecration of the cemetery, which was largely demolished during the Soviet regime.
Direct US Intervention
Now, the United States is directly intervening in the dispute. In a letter addressed to the Lithuanian Minister of Culture, Rabbi Kaplon wrote that he is "deeply disturbed" by recent statements regarding the cemetery's future. He emphasized that, as the minister himself noted, this is not "just another building," but a site of immense religious and historical significance that demands protection.
Kaplon sharply criticized the proposed convention center:
"Any decision recommending the development of a convention center on the cemetery grounds will send a clear message to Jews worldwide—not only that cemeteries can be desecrated, but that the rich, 600-year history of the country's Jews prior to the Nazi regime is meaningless."
The US envoy urged the Lithuanian government to reject the parliamentary initiative and oppose any commercial or cultural exploitation of the sacred grounds.
Centuries of History
The Snipiskes cemetery, also known as Piramont, dates back to the 15th century and served as a prominent burial ground for centuries. Although heavily damaged during Soviet rule, human remains still lie beneath the surface. In 1971, the Vilnius Concert and Sports Hall was erected on the site. The building is now abandoned, serving as a stark symbol of the ongoing debate over Jewish heritage in Lithuania.
Kaplon concluded his letter with a stern warning, quoting Genesis:
"The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. Today, the blood of every Lithuanian Jew denied a proper burial during the Holocaust cries out to us. Any attempt to continue desecrating this cemetery is a disgrace to the Lithuanian government and will be met with resistance."
