Dimitar Peshev: Bulgarian Politician

Background

Born in 1894 in Kyustendil, Bulgaria, Dimitar Peshev pursued a career in law and politics, eventually becoming an attorney. His political career began in 1935 when he was appointed Justice Minister under Prime Minister Georgi Kiosseivanov, who governed Bulgaria during the years leading up to its alignment with Nazi Germany.  Known for his honesty and strong principles, Peshev gained the respect of his fellow parliamentarians, which led to his appointment as Deputy Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament in 1938. His core political beliefs centered on upholding the Bulgarian Constitution and safeguarding human rights. However, his dedication to these principles placed him at odds with Bogdan Filov, who became the Prime Minister of Bulgaria in 1940, who prioritized Bulgaria’s territorial expansion and allegiance to Nazi Germany.

In 1941 Bulgaria aligned with the Axis Powers, motivated largely by aspirations to reclaim lost territories from the Second Balkan War and a desire to avoid the fate of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, which was devastated by Nazi invasion after refusing to join the Axis. As a result of this alliance, Bulgaria adopted the “Law on Protection of the Nation.” This legislation, modeled after Nazi Germany’s Nuremberg Laws, imposed severe restrictions on Bulgarian Jews, including exclusion from public service, limitations on economic activities, and mandatory identification measures. Initially, Peshev did not openly challenge this legislation.

In early 1943, SS-Hauptsturmführer Theodor Dannecker was assigned to Bulgaria as the advisor for Bulgarian Jewish affairs. He arrived in Sofia to coordinate the deportation of Jews from the newly annexed territories of Macedonia, Thrace, and other outlying western regions. Though these areas were technically under Bulgarian control, in reality, real governance remained in the hands of Nazi forces. Alexander Belev, a strong antisemite, was appointed head of the Bulgarian Commissariat for Jewish Affairs in August 1942. He played a central role in formulating and executing anti-Jewish policies, including those of the deportations.

Railway stations were designated for transport, and arrangements were made for deportations via the Danube River. Although these efforts were conducted in secrecy, news of the planned deportations began to spread. Both Jewish and non-Jewish communities became aware of the impending tragedy, and growing concern led to widespread unease. Eventually, the alarming reports reached Dimitar Peshev, prompting him to take action.

Actions Related to Deportations of Jews

As rumors of the impending deportations spread, a group of concerned citizens from Kyustendil, including Asen Suychmezov, Vladimir Kurtev, Ivan Momchilov, and Member of Parliament Petar Mihalev, traveled to Sofia to seek Peshev’s intervention. Learning of the deportation plans, Peshev later wrote, “I had no doubt about what was going to happen, and my conscience and the understanding of the real meaning of the plans no longer allowed me to remain a bystander. I decided to do whatever I could to prevent the plans from being implemented.”

Leveraging his position as vice president of parliament, Peshev arranged urgent meetings with the Minister of the Interior, Petar Gabrovski, to attempt to put an end to these plans. With support from Mihalev and fellow parliamentarian Dimitar Ikonomov, Peshev pressured Gabrovski to halt the deportations. Their persistence resulted in the official cancellation of the order. Meanwhile, others in the Kyustendil delegation took further action: Suychmezov alerted Jewish communities in Sofia; Kurtev sought advocacy from Professor Alexander Stanishev, a respected physician and former Minister of Internal Affairs, who used his influence to rally opposition against the deportations; and Momchilov appealed to General Nikola Zhekov, a former commander-in-chief of the Bulgarian Army during World War I, hoping to leverage his nationalist credentials to sway government officials. Their efforts were met with hostility, and their homes in Kyustendil became targets of vandalism and violence.

Despite these successes, 11,343 Jews from the annexed territories were deported to Nazi concentration camps as the initial agreement did not cover these areas. Determined to stop further deportations, Peshev drafted a letter to the government demanding the protection of all Jewish citizens, regardless of location. Signed by 43 other parliamentarians, the letter was submitted to Prime Minister Filov. Infuriated, Filov viewed the document as an act of insubordination. He forced many signatories to withdraw their support, but 30 parliamentarians refused. On March 16, 1943, Peshev was formally censured, and by March 24, he was removed from office. However, the mass deportation of Bulgarian Jews was successfully prevented.

The battle did not end there. Commissariat Belev sought to resume deportations by arranging passage via the Danube River. At this crucial moment, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church intervened. The Holy Synod issued strong protests to both Filov and Tsar Boris III, denouncing any further attempts to deport Bulgaria’s Jewish population. Bishops Stefan Sofiyski and Kiril Plovdivski led nationwide protests and engaged in diplomatic efforts that ultimately put a definitive stop to the deportations.

In 1944, Bulgaria was liberated by Soviet forces, and a communist government was swiftly installed. Despite his heroic actions, Peshev was arrested, falsely accused of being a Nazi collaborator, and sentenced to fifteen years in prison. Fortunately, due to his role in saving Bulgaria’s Jewish population, he was released after one year. However, his contributions remained largely unrecognized under Bulgaria’s communist regime.

Post-War Recognition

Recognition finally came in January 1973 when Yad Vashem in Jerusalem honored Dimitar Peshev with the title of “Righteous Among the Nations.” The same honor was extended to his fellow activists from Kyustendil, including Asen Suychmezov, Vladimir Kurtev, Ivan Momchilov, and Petar Mihalev. Peshev passed away on February 20, 1973, shortly after receiving this long-overdue acknowledgment. Peshev’s story is a powerful example of moral responsibility and resistance against oppression. His willingness to oppose both the Nazi regime and his own government highlights the significance of individual moral conviction in shaping historical outcomes. His actions challenge the notion that smaller nations were powerless under Axis rule and underscore the importance of ethical leadership during times of crisis. The legacy of Dimitar Peshev serves as a reminder that standing against injustice—despite political and other consequences, can alter the course of history.

Today, Dimitar Peshev’s legacy is preserved at the Dimitar Peshev House Museum in his hometown of Kyustendil, Bulgaria. The museum, a reconstructed version of his original home, was established to honor his courageous stand against the deportation of Bulgarian Jews. Opened in 2002, the museum serves as both a historical and educational site, showcasing documents, photographs, and exhibits detailing Peshev’s life, political career, and moral stand during World War II. It highlights not only his resistance but also the broader efforts of Bulgarian citizens who opposed the Holocaust. The museum plays a crucial role in educating visitors about the Holocaust, Bulgaria’s complex wartime history, and the importance of standing against injustice. Through its preservation of Peshev’s story, it ensures that future generations recognize the power of individual action in shaping history.