HERZOG: ISRAEL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN BANJA LUKA - DRIVING FORCE FOR STRENGTHENING ISRAEL - SRPSKA TIES

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 3 /SRNA/ – Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the Israel Chamber of Commerce in Banja Luka would serve as a bridge between ideas and opportunities and as a driving force for strengthening Israel’s ties with Republika Srpska and neighbouring countries.

"Dear friends, please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the appointment of the Israel Chamber president," Herzog said in a message conveyed by Israeli Ambassador Galit Peleg at a ceremony marking the Chamber’s opening.

He thanked the Republika Srpska Government, whose vision and determination had turned this initiative into reality.

Herzog wished successful business operation and expressed hope that the goodwill between the two peoples would be transformed into mutually beneficial business partnerships.

"The friendship between our two peoples is founded not only on shared interests but also on a common history, remembrance and recognition of our most sacred duty - to oppose all forms of antisemitism, discrimination and hatred," Herzog said.

He thanked the people and authorities of Republika Srpska for standing with Israel and expressing solidarity in defence of these goals.

"It was an honour for me to host Mr /Milorad/ Dodik and Ms /Željka/ Cvijanović. Our talks not only reaffirmed our friendship and partnership but also demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding that friendship," the Israeli president said.

According to him, these agreements could take concrete form through cooperation in advanced technologies, agriculture, healthcare, tourism, science and many other fields.

"The new Israel Chamber will serve as a bridge between ideas and opportunities and between people willing to contribute, as well as a driving force for strengthening Israel’s ties with Republika Srpska, BiH and neighbouring countries," Herzog said.

Herzog wished the newly appointed Chamber president every success and expressed hope that the Chamber’s work would bring prosperity to both countries and elevate the good relations between Israel and Republika Srpska to new level.

Israeli Ambassador Galit Peleg congratulated on the opening of the Israel Chamber of Commerce in Banja Luka, thanked the Republika Srpska Government and its people for their solidarity and friendship, and reflected on the events that had marked her four-year term and the significant progress made in building good relations between Israel and Srpska.

She said the past four years of her term had been extremely challenging, marked by growing divisions within BiH and tragic events in Israel, but stressed that these developments had also reaffirmed the friendship and mutual support between the Jewish and Serb peoples.

Peleg recalled the horrific massacre that took place in Israel on October 7, 2023, after which everything changed, and thanked the people and authorities of Republika Srpska for the solidarity they had shown.

She stressed that although they were met with protests in Sarajevo on October 24, the day a commemoration for the victims was due to be held, Banja Luka welcomed Israel with open arms.

"At a time of protests and threats in Sarajevo, the Office of President Milorad Dodik offered us a beautiful building in Banja Luka. That was one of the three most wonderful moments of my term as ambassador," Peleg said.

According to her, the other two exceptional moments in cooperation between Banja Luka and Tel Aviv were the visit by Dodik and a Srpska delegation to Israel and the subsequent visit by Serb BiH Presidency member Željka Cvijanović, who met with the country’s highest-ranking officials.

"I am pleased to end my ambassadorial term with the opening of the Chamber of Commerce, which serves as a symbol of both our economic cooperation and our friendship. I hope it will attract many investors and that its work will lead to excellent cooperation and prosperity for Srpska," Peleg said.