CHIKLI: ISRAEL - SRPSKA FRIENDLY RELATIONS; WE SHARE COMMON HISTORY

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 3 /SRNA/ – Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli said that Israel and the Jewish people maintain friendly relations with Republika Srpska and the Serb people, with whom they jointly commemorate the suffering endured during World War II.

"We remember the shared history of the World War II, Jasenovac as the most horrific execution site during the Holocaust," Chikli told the press in Banja Luka after a meeting with Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan and delegations from Republika Srpska and Israel.

He stressed he was very pleased to have the opportunity to visit Republika Srpska and noted that this was his third meeting with President Milorad Dodik.

"It is a great privilege for me to be with you today," Chikli said.

He thanked Republika Srpska for the support it expressed on October 7, 2023, when the Palace of the Republic was illuminated in the colours of the Israeli flag as a sign of Republika Srpska’s solidarity with the State of Israel following the escalation of violence in the Middle East triggered by Hamas’s rocket attack from the Gaza Strip.

Speaking about the establishment of the Israel Chamber of Commerce in Republika Srpska, Chikli said that this was the first step toward formalizing cooperation between Republika Srpska and Israel, to which Israel attaches great importance.

He said that Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also welcomed and congratulated the initiative.

Chikli thanked Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan for awarding him the Order of the Flag of Republika Srpska with a Golden Wreath.

"I am truly grateful for everything you are doing, and hope that we will further strengthen our relations," Chikli concluded.

Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan today awarded Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli the Order of the Flag of Republika Srpska with a Golden Wreath, and Israeli Ambassador to BiH Galit Peleg the Order of the Flag of Republika Srpska with a Silver Wreath.