CVIJANOVIĆ: SRPSKA IS ACTIVELY FIGHTING AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM

TEL AVIV, JUNE 23 /SRNA/ - Serb member of the Presidency of BiH Željka Cvijanović said at the opening of the MUNIEXPO 2026 conference in Tel Aviv that Republika Srpska has zero tolerance for any form of anti-Semitism it observes within BiH and is actively fighting against it.

"At the same time, we are proud that Republika Srpska, including its local communities, represents a safe framework for all our citizens and for all people, regardless of national, religious or cultural affiliation," said Cvijanović. Our common duty, she says, is to ensure that our cities remain safe homes for all their citizens. "We are, unfortunately, witnessing a worrying global increase in anti-Semitism, prejudice and hate speech on a global level. History teaches us that extreme ideologies and hatred against the Jewish people never remain isolated - they are always an early symptom of a deep crisis and erosion of humanity within society itself," Cvijanović emphasized. Therefore, she says, the fight against anti-Semitism and the preservation of the historical memory of the common suffering of the Serbian and Jewish people must not be left to only to declarations issued at the highest levels. "This fight is also being waged in local communities through educational systems, cultural institutions and through the creation of a social environment in which tolerance is actively lived, and every form of hatred is rejected without delay," Cvijanović said. She emphasized that she is proud of the fact that cities in Republika Srpska and Israel are building bridges of cooperation, just as Republika Srpska cultivates sincere friendship with the State of Israel. "For us, the slogan of this conference `Winning Partnership` is far more than a concept - it is a living reality. I would especially like to emphasize the deep ties and sister-city relationship between Banja Luka, our largest city and the capital of Republika Srpska, with the city of Modi'in," said Cvijanović. She pointed out that this partnership, which grew under the leadership of Modi'in Mayor Haim Bibas, is a true example of how local communities can cooperate in the fields of education, culture, and modern technologies. "Through such direct connections, our peoples learn from each other and become more resilient to the challenges of the modern era. We live in a time of profound global change and unpredictable crises. In such circumstances, the first line of defense and the first point of support for every person are precisely their local institutions," Cvijanović stated. She emphasized that the resilience of a society is not built only from the top, it is tested and proven at the local level. "When a crisis arises, citizens do not rely only on state structures, but also on their local authorities and their services, which are by nature closest to them. That is why the ability of local governments to effectively and on the basis of accurate data manage crisis situations has become one of the pillars of general security," Cvijanović emphasized. She emphasized that the MUNIEXPO 2026 conference has rightfully become a globally recognized platform for the exchange of knowledge and innovations in the management of local communities. "Israel is a leader in the development of technologies that protect lives. For us, this summit represents a valuable opportunity to see how innovations can directly increase safety and quality of life. But technology gains its full power only when it is combined with human values, trust and sense of shared purpose," said Cvijanović. She indicated that partnerships between central government and local communities, the public sector and citizens, as well as international cooperation, are the only path to a stable future. "We all share the same goal - to build stable, safe and prosperous communities where people want to live and raise their children. I am confident that the partnerships we are affirming and building here in Tel Aviv will be a strong step forward towards that goal," concluded Cvijanović. MUNIEXPO 2026 is the leading international conference and fair of urban innovations in Israel, organized by the Federation of Local Authorities. The Serb member of the BiH Presidency is on a multi-day visit to Israel, during which she met with the state leadership and addressed the International Policy Summit.