AMBASSADOR OF ISRAEL: The past was not fair to the Serbs and Jews (PHOTO)

The Embassy of Israel marked their 67th anniversary of the founding of the Jewish state last night, and prepared a reception in Belgrade, during which many guests addressed the Ambassador in  Serbia Yossef Levy highlighting the special links between the Serbian and Jewish people.

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Prior to the arrival of guests, team Telegraf had a chat with Mr. Levy about this important day for Israel, his people, and all Jews worldwide. First we asked him whether he was excited about the reception in the capital of Serbia.

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Foto: Telegraf

- Very, all day I was excited. I feel like it's my birthday and wedding. Israel's Independence Day is unique and special to me. As an ambassador I feel that my life is strongly linked to a reality that is called Israel.

He added that Israel is a project, and not just one more country.

Foto: Telegraf

- We are a patriotic nation, and I am a great patriot. I love my country with 120 percent of my being, and I think that Israel is a wonderful achievement. Despite all the problems and difficulties, wars and terrorism, the Islamic State and the Iranian challenge, we are a big success.

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He pointed out that Israel is an amazing story of a nation that was on the verge of extinction, and that in a few years created a beautiful country with a strong army, good economy, IT industry, with an exceptional cultural heritage, strong international position and with an alliance with super-powers such as the United States.

Foto: Telegraf

- These are great achievements. In addition, we have revived the Hebrew language, in Israel there currently lives five times more people than in 1948. We now have 8.3 million inhabitants,75 percent are Jews, while 20 percent of the population are Arabs. We are a democratic country. Some countries call themselves democratic, but are essentially the opposite. Israel is the only democracy in the entire region with a parliament, media and a legal system. We were in exile 2,000 years ago and we returned home. For Independence Day, all Israelis are very excited and happy.

Foto: Telegraf

We asked him whether there are, and what are the similarities between Israel and Serbia.

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- We are very similar. Our nations have a strong awareness of its history. The past was not fair to the Jews and Serbs. Our nation had to defend its existence, physically and spiritually, and we did. However with great losses, and many people suffered. I do not know a country that has lost 25 percent of its population in a single war. We  lost a third of Jews during the Holocaust, over six million men, women and children. Therefore, it is our mission to the world and I do my best to serve my country.

Foto: Telegraf

The ceremony began with the singing of the national hymns of Israel and Serbia, carried out by the Baruh Brothers Choir. After the hymns, the Ambassador addressed all those present.

After the speech, Ambassador Levy handed gratitude for the contribution to the improvement of relations between Israel and Serbia to journalist Mira Adanja-Polak, Bishop Pakracko Slavonian John, ballerina Aja Jung, owner of the publishing house "Color Press Group" Robert Coban and Zoran Korac.

The reception was held at Belgrade's hotel Metropol Palace and was attended by many public figures.

Foto: Telegraf

Among them were US Ambassador Michael Kirby, the Minister of Culture Ivan Tasovac, Vuk Draskovic, Avram Israel, Nebojsa Bradic, the editor of the newspaper "Danas"  Zoran Panovic, representatives of the diplomatic corps, religious communities, political, cultural and public life.

(Telegraf.co.uk)