History of the Jews in South Ossetia an artillery shell in its facade. On Sundays, Baptist services are held there. According to the Soviet censuses of 1926 and 1939 there were about 2000 Jews in South Ossetia, all but a few in Tskhinvali. As late as 1926 almost a third of the town's inhabitants were Jews. Their number declined later as they moved to bigger cities of Soviet Union or emigrated to Israel or other countries. Most of the Jewish population fled South Ossetia for Israel and Georgia proper during the First Ossetian War in 1991. The remainder fled in advance of the 2008 war. Today, only
South Ossetia–Venezuela relations South Ossetia–Venezuela relations South Ossetia–Venezuela relations refers to bilateral foreign relations between the Republic of South Ossetia and Venezuela. Venezuela recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia on September 10, 2009. Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez announced that his country recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia when he was hosted by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Chávez also announced that formal diplomatic relations will be established with South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Chávez had previously defended Russia's recognition of the two republics, saying "Russia has recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We support Russia. Russia is right and is defending its interests." After succeeding