Bulgarian President Honors Israeli Ambassador
Jerusalem, 27 July, 2023 (TPS) -- SOFIA, 27/07/2023(BTA)
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on Thursday presented the Order of the Madara Horseman, First Class, to outgoing Israeli Ambassador in Sofia Yoram Elron. The honor is conferred on the diplomat for his especially great services to the furtherance and deepening of bilateral relations between Bulgaria and his country.
In his speech, Radev said that between the two countries’ peoples there is a true attitude of friendship and understanding, based on deep cultural and historical ties, on active partnership and mutual trust. In his words, unbreakable remains the connection forged with the efforts of the Bulgarian state and public 80 years ago in the darkest period of World War II, when Bulgaria did not allow the big Jewish diaspora to be sent to the death camps.
Both in the past and now, Bulgarian Jews remain highly integrated in all areas of public life in Bulgaria, Radev went on to say, adding that he saw the same regarding the large Bulgarian diaspora when he visited the State of Israel.
Addressing the Ambassador, Radev said, “In a published article by you, you express your warm feelings towards our country, the way you saw it during your term in office. This is a very personal confession, but at the same time, it is an exciting strong call for upholding the historical truth about the dramatic events in 1943, when our people showed bravery, humanism, and civil courage.”
Radev stressed, “Lately, voices have been rising that strive to revise this unique act of the Bulgarian people, shifting the focus towards other events which the Bulgaria state and people did not have the powers and opportunity to oppose. A strong concern remains in us that these attempts generate hate, antisemitism, which have never had a strong foundation for development in Bulgaria.”
The President thanked the Israeli Embassy for the significant help in the efforts to fight the contemporary forms of antisemitism and preserve the Jewish heritage, which has contributed to the strengthening of Bulgaria’s positions on the international scene as a reliable defender of human rights.
“It was a real privilege to serve as ambassador of Israel to Bulgaria,” Yoram Elron said. In his words, Bulgaria has left a mark in his heart as well as that of his family. “Everywhere we went, we were greeted with open arms and hearts,” he added.
He also said that the bilateral relations are of a special type, particularly with Bulgaria’s contribution during World War II. “The Jews from all around the world are grateful that Bulgaria saved the entire Jewish population. We hear voices with a certain narrative but we know the historical truth,” he added.
The bilateral cooperation is extremely successful, the Ambassador noted. Some 300,000 Israeli tourists visit Bulgaria annually, he specified.
