Israeli Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Galit Peleg stated that the racist and antisemitic rhetoric of the president of Our Party, Sabina Ćudić, and the spreading of hatred against Jews fuel divisions and provocations and undermine bilateral relations.
In a statement, Peleg emphasized that if Bosnia and Herzegovina wants to be part of Europe, it must say no to fascism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia, but also take a stand against the use of antisemitic terminology and narratives — without exception.
“It is particularly discouraging to witness, again and again, local politicians exploiting attacks on Israel as a means of advancing their own position in domestic politics. Such rhetoric fuels divisions and provocations instead of encouraging dialogue, while simultaneously undermining the kind of bilateral relations that an advanced European country should strive to promote,” Peleg said, reacting to today’s statements by Ćudić.
She stressed that just two weeks after Holocaust Remembrance Day, it is deeply disturbing to hear “racist and antisemitic accusations being so casually and publicly expressed.”
“Ćudić speaks extensively about Islamophobia, and rightly so, because hatred toward any group must be condemned. However, she appears to have no difficulty spreading hatred against Jews. This double standard is impossible to ignore,” Peleg emphasized.
She reminded that the Jewish community in Sarajevo today is small and largely composed of Holocaust survivors and their descendants.
“Once a proud and thriving community, it has been reduced to one that feels compelled to hide Jewish symbols out of fear of hostility — precisely because of attitudes and statements like those you promote,” she said.
Peleg questioned which values Sabina Ćudić refers to when she speaks of “European values,” asking whether she means those promoted during the infamous 1940s.
“History has taught us, at an unbearable cost, where demonization, dehumanization, and antisemitic language can lead. It speaks of children’s bodies. Had Ms. Ćudić chosen, as Milorad Dodik did, to visit Israel, she would have seen with her own eyes young Israelis — Jews, Muslims, and Christians — who were killed, tortured, and kidnapped by those whose ‘humanitarian rights’ she so passionately defends,” Peleg stated.
The Israeli ambassador concluded that European values are not selective and cannot be applied only to politically convenient causes.
Earlier today, commenting on meetings between SNSD leader Milorad Dodik and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sabina Ćudić stated that “it is not difficult to meet with Mr. Netanyahu’s cabinet — you just need to be ready beforehand to step over children’s bodies.”
Source: RTRS
