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Bosnian Serbs strengthen ties with Israel amid Gaza tensions

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Israeli Chamber of Commerce opened an office in Banja Luka, the seat of Republika Srpska’s government, to promote business and investment links.
  • The move comes as Israel faces international criticism over its war in Gaza, while Republika Srpska has continued to express strong support for Israel.
  • Republika Srpska officials said they may create a programme supporting Israeli technologies and touted possible Israeli investment, without giving details.

The Israeli Chamber of Commerce has opened an office in Banja Luka, giving Republika Srpska a new platform for closer commercial and political ties with Israel as criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza grows.

further strengthen

· Officials at the office openingOfficials used the phrase to describe the expected effect of the new commerce office on bilateral ties.

Officials said the office would “further strengthen” relations between the two sides. Galit Peleg, Israel’s ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, said it would connect businesses and promote “investment cooperation,” although she provided no details about specific projects.

The opening reflects the sharply different positions within Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Sarajevo-based Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has joined international criticism of Israel, while Republika Srpska has strongly supported Israel since the Gaza war began in October 2023. Milorad Dodik, the entity’s former president and effective leader, has repeatedly expressed pro-Israeli views and presented Republika Srpska as a key Balkan ally.

suffering

· Milorad DodikDodik referred to what he described as shared historical experiences of Serbs and Jews.

Dodik said at the ceremony that Serbs and Jews shared political and historical ties, as well as similar “suffering.” “We have shown that we can, under impossible conditions and in an environment that is historically speaking hostile, preserve our identity and our holy word, which is freedom,” he said.

We have shown that we can, under impossible conditions and in an environment that is historically speaking hostile, preserve our identity and our holy word, which is freedom.

· Milorad DodikDodik spoke at the opening ceremony about the historical ties between Serbs and Jews.

Peleg also referred to protests in Sarajevo, saying, “At a time of protests and threats in Sarajevo, the Office of President Milorad Dodik offered us a beautiful building in Banja Luka.” Dodik said Republika Srpska would establish a support programme for new Israeli technologies. Authorities have also promoted the possibility of major Israeli investment, but have disclosed no details. The office is headed by Israeli businessman Amir Gross Kabiri, whose company leased the facilities of the collapsed Mostar aluminium producer Aluminij in 2020.

At a time of protests and threats in Sarajevo, the Office of President Milorad Dodik offered us a beautiful building in Banja Luka.

· Galit PelegIsrael’s ambassador referred to pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Sarajevo during the Gaza war.
About this summary

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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