Bessarabia, a former territory of Romania, spans parts of Moldova and Ukraine. The region has changed hands numerous times in its history. In 1812, Russia annexed it; in 1918, it was annexed by Romania. In 1940, the Soviet Union forced the Romanian government to cede the land, but Romania temporarily reoccupied it in the following years. Finally, in 1944, Bessarabia was liberated by Soviet troops, and subsequently became a part of the Soviet Union. Today it remains divided between Ukraine and Moldova.
A map of Romania from 1935; the region in light purple, on the far right, is Bessarabia.
The loss of Bessarabia remains a deep wound for many Romanians, who assert that the territory is rightfully theirs and should be reannexed. The "Greater Romania" concept, once a reality, has taken on new life in the contemporary political scene. Mainstream politicians have called for Bessarabia to again be made a part of Romania, and social media accounts and channels boldly proclaim that "Bessarabia is Romania!" Graffiti and stickers featuring the slogan can be spotted throughout major Romanian cities, and some groups even go as far as to organize demonstrations calling for the reunification of the two lands.
Similarly, groups on the fringes of the political right have adopted the "Bessarabia is Romania" rallying cry, using the slogan in conjunction with white supremacist, neo-Nazi, and neo-Legionary symbols such as the Celtic wheel cross, the swastika, and the emblem of the fascist Iron Guard. For these groups, the Greater Romania concept represents a return to a golden age when Jews and other ethnic minorities are persecuted, and fascism was the predominant political ideology.
Two neo-Nazi activists give Nazi salutes in front of "Bessarabia Is Romania" graffiti.
Before the Holocaust, Jews in Bessarabia were well-established, involved in trades such as agriculture, commerce, distilling, and other professions. Jewish schools, political organizations, and religious institutions flourished in the region. Despite periodic pogroms and state-sponsored antisemitism, Jewish life in Bessarabia was active. In 1920, the population reached a high of 267,000. During the Second World War, mass deportations of Jews were ordered, and much of Bessarabia's Jewish population was eventually exterminated by the Nazi-aligned government. It is estimated that 100,000 Bessarabian Jews were killed in the Holocaust. Today, the presence of neo-Nazi and neo-Legionary activity in Bessarabia is a clear sign that for some, Jews are still not welcome in the region.
The following report will provide numerous examples of posts by ultranationalist, neo-Nazi, neo-Legionary, and Identitarian groups which advocate for the reunification of Romania and Bessarabia.
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