JERUSALEM—‘’We speak to each other every few weeks, and I appreciate your coming here to honor the Jews of Bulgaria that were saved during the Holocaust,’’ said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he met Wednesday in Jerusalem with his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov.
The two Prime Ministers will attend the dedication of a monument in Tel Aviv honoring the saving of Jews in Bulgaria. “Let me say that this monument to the saving of Jews, Bulgarian Jews in Sofia, is something that evokes a special feeling in my heart and the hearts of the Jewish people, because it was an instance of honor and dignity and courage that not only saved Jews, but saved the honor of mankind,’’ Netanyahu said.
He added that ‘’the battle against antisemitism that was so courageously manifested in Sofia has to continue today in every country, and I trust that you will continue it.”
Netanyahu praised Borissov for his decision to open an honorary consulate in Jerusalem. ‘’I hope it’s the first step towards establishing the Bulgarian embassy in Jerusalem,’ he said.
He continued, ‘’We feel we are part of the same civilization. That civilization is under attack by a variety of forces, most notably the forces of militant Islam, and the terror it espouses. It attacks us, it attacks Arabs, it attacks Europeans, it attacks Americans, it attacks everyone. And it attacked you in Bulgaria. We’re joined also not only in promoting a good future, but preventing a return to a violent past.’’