Moldovan Chief Rabbi Linked to Investigation of Weapons Smuggling from Ukraine to Israel

In November 2025, Moldovan customs authorities intercepted a truck at the Moldova-Romania border carrying advanced weaponry, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems, RPG launchers, and drone components. The driver claimed the shipment's destination was Israel, raising suspicions among Moldovan politicians and law enforcement. The case has since expanded, with court documents revealing that Alexey Piankovski, one of the suspects, testified that Rabbi Pinchas Zaltsman, who claims to be Moldova's chief rabbi, requested the transfer of equipment from Ukraine to Moldova and then to Israel. Piankovski said Zaltsman described the items as humanitarian aid or medical equipment, not weapons.

The court ruling noted phone communications and photos of weapons found on suspects' phones, including those linked to Zaltsman, but did not assign him criminal responsibility. Moldovan anti-organized crime prosecutors declined to confirm Zaltsman's involvement, stating the investigation is ongoing and identities of some suspects remain confidential. Meanwhile, members of Moldova's Jewish community say Zaltsman has not been in the country since October 2025 and that Rabbi Menachem Mendel Axelrod was recently appointed as the official chief rabbi. Zaltsman denies any wrongdoing or loss of position, calling the allegations "absurd" and politically motivated, emphasizing his humanitarian work aiding Jewish refugees from Ukraine.

The investigation continues in Moldovan and Romanian courts, with some suspects released and others convicted or still under investigation. The Jewish community in Moldova disputes Zaltsman's claim to the chief rabbi title, stating he was never officially appointed or recognized by community institutions. The intercepted weapons shipment and its intended route remain under scrutiny amid concerns of a broader global smuggling network originating from Ukraine.