GOLDSCHMIDT: CANCELLATION OF SARAJEVO CONFERENCE FUNDAMENTALLY CONTRADICTS EU VALUES

SARAJEVO, JUNE 23 /SRNA/ –The President of the Conference of European Rabbis, Pinchas Goldschmidt, stated that the cancellation of the conference in Sarajevo fundamentally contradicts the core values of the European Union, which BiH aspires to join.

Goldschmidt said it is shocking that Sarajevo, a city that prides itself on peace, is being dismantled through hate propaganda.

"When European rabbis – who have no diplomatic mission and advocate for Jewish communal life and solidarity – become the target of a government boycott, that is no longer legitimate criticism of Israel. That is hate propaganda," Goldschmidt stated.

He emphasized that Europe must not retreat when antisemitism reappears in a new form, and that anyone who wants to join the EU, such as BiH, must demonstrate that they have embraced the Union’s core values.

Goldschmidt noted that the Conference of European Rabbis promotes interfaith dialogue like few other Jewish institutions.

"We originally planned to hold a board meeting in Sarajevo this week. And at the very last moment, the door was literally slammed in our faces. The hotel cancelled our reservation. In a public appeal, the Federation’s Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Adnan Delić, previously called not only for the cancellation of our conference, but also for the expulsion of European rabbis. Delić made the scandalous accusation that our presence would 'morally humiliate' the city. He also accused Israel of being a 'genocidal entity.' That is language reminiscent of Hamas speeches or those from the Iranian regime," Goldschmidt stated in his commentary.

He emphasized that the hotel's cancellation was clearly the result of political pressure, and that the silence of other government agencies shows that BiH has done a disservice not only to the Jewish community, but to itself as well.

Goldschmidt concluded that the rabbis continue to extend a hand of support and that the Conference will be held in Munich, with Sarajevo still invited.