KARAN: THE HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE OF SUFFERING CONNECTS THE SERBIAN AND JEWISH PEOPLE

BANJA LUKA, AUGUST 31 /SRNA/ - The President of Republika Srpska, Siniša Karan, stated that the Serbian and Jewish people are connected by a deep historical experience of suffering, which is founded on strong mutual understanding and respect.

"The Holocaust against the Jewish people and the genocide against the Serbian people in the NDH permanently oblige us to a culture of remembrance and memory, but also to the determination to protect our freedom and the right to our existence," said Karan in his address to the attendees at the promotion of the book "Yoni's Last Battle: The Rescue at Entebbe, 1976," by author Iddo Netanyahu, held at the headquarters of the Government of Republika Srpska. He stated that the book talks about events that occurred in almost impossible circumstances, as the Israeli hostages were located thousands of kilometers away from Israel. "The operation in Entebbe was a feat of exceptional people, but at the same time an expression of the spirit of a country and a faithful people. Therefore, this is not just a story about an extraordinary anti-terrorist operation and the release of hostages, but an operation that provided a new doctrine in dealing with terrorism," said Karan. He pointed out that a special place in the story of Entebbe belongs to Yoni Netanyahu, whose sacrifice surpassed his own personal sacrifice and became part of the collective memory and narrative of the Israeli people. "It became a symbol of responsibility, courage, and readiness to sacrifice for others. Israel, whose modern identity is deeply shaped by the experience of the Holocaust, the vow of 'Never again,' and the continuous struggle for survival, showed in Entebbe that it does not accept the role of a passive observer," Karan pointed out. He added that this operation became one of the important moments in shaping political and national identity, confirming that a people must be the subject, and not the object, of its own history. "The question of sovereignty is also extremely important for us here in Republika Srpska, which has been the subject of its own history for over three decades, especially through the prism of the struggle to affirm its constitutional sovereignty in such a complex multi-ethnic community," Karan emphasized. He concluded that Republika Srpska nurtures a longstanding friendship and meaningful relations with the Jewish people and Israel, and he believes that tonight's book promotion will also contribute to that friendship.