We have already become accustomed to positive news from Serbia. It was among the first to stand by Israel precisely in its most difficult hour, in October 2023. Cooperation in the field of defense industry and economy has grown significantly in recent years, delegations are being exchanged at the highest level.
Israeli sports clubs have chosen Serbia as their home court for European tournaments, such as the pride of Israel, the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club, which is hosting in Belgrade. Serbia has also become one of the favorite destinations of Israeli tourists, where they feel safe and comfortable, which cannot be taken for granted on the European continent today.
These decisions were not welcomed by quite a few countries. On the other hand, it was supported by the US.
This cooperation is based on historical alliances and a mutual sufferings of Jews and Serb at the hands of the Nazis and their allies. In the concentration camps throughout occupied Yugoslavia, both Jews and Serbs were the main victims. Serbs made an immeasurable contribution to the guerrilla fight against Nazism and fascism, for which they paid a heavy price. The law on the restitution of Jewish property without heirs is among the most advanced in Europe and serves as an example.
And then, suddenly, two disturbing and stunningly unpleasant events. In the Serbian series “Shadows Over the Balkans” by renowned actor and director Dragan Bjelogrlić, in its third season, a message was heard that could be interpreted as anti-Semitic. “My name is Simeon Draškić, from Rtanj Mountain, a man of faith, a Serb. You, the Belgrade gang, are the ones who protect Jews and Vlachs (Romanian-speaking ethnic minority in Serbia), while you arrest and oppress honest Serbs.” It is clear that this is a TV series that draws on historical events, but without explanation, it supports dangerous stereotypes.
After the shameful chant of “Death to [President] Vučić and the Jews around him” at a protest in front of the Belgrade University rectory, which the Israeli Foreign Ministry spoke out about, this further fuels the suspicion that this is an organized political campaign. These wrongdoings received widespread coverage in the local media.
One gets the impression that this is a politically motivated to harm President Aleksandar Vučić, who has close ties with the State of Israel, key Jewish organizations such as AIPAC and the Serbian Jewish community. That is completely unacceptable! If these things are not stopped, they will end up in dangerous violence, and therefore cannot be ignored.
Dr. Efraim Zuroff is the chief Nazi hunter of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the director of the Center’s Israel Office and Eastern European Affairs.