Đurić Attends Centenary Celebration of Sukat Shalom Synagogue

“From science and culture to, whenever the need arose, standing shoulder to shoulder with their Serbian brothers and sisters in defence of our common homeland,” Đurić emphasised.

Speaking both in his personal capacity and on behalf of the Republic of Serbia, Minister Đurić thanked the representatives of Belgrade’s Jewish community for their steadfast commitment to preserving Jewish heritage, culture and identity.

“Over the past one hundred years, this synagogue has borne witness to the history of the Jewish people in this region. It witnessed the flourishing and growth of the Jewish community before the Second World War, the tragedy that befell the Jewish people during the war, when the Nazis and their collaborators all but destroyed the Jewish community, as well as the period of renewal during which the community rebuilt and consolidated itself. Many Jewish families who survived the war, including my own grandmother, spent their first days following liberation under the protection and within the shelter of this synagogue,” Đurić said.

Today, the Serbian Foreign Minister emphasised, not only do the Serbian and Jewish communities enjoy close relations, but relations between the Republic of Serbia and the State of Israel are also reaching ever higher levels.

“The Republic of Serbia and the State of Israel are working to develop a strategic partnership and expand their economic ties, and we are also seeing a growing number of members of the Jewish community returning to and once again gathering within this synagogue. On my own behalf, I wish you many more centuries of successful work,” Đurić said.

Đurić expressed his confidence that Serbs and Jews will continue, as they always have, to stand together against antisemitism and attacks against Jews, as well as against challenges to the values that the two peoples have shared throughout the centuries.