The community of Bulgarian Jews in Israel is a bridge for the development of bilateral trade in education and culture, President Rumen Radev said at a meeting with representatives of organizations of the Bulgarian Jews in the State of Israel in Jerusalem. President Radev reiterated that for Bulgaria Israel is a friend and strategic partner and relies on the support of the Bulgarian Jews and their descendants for subsequently strengthening the bilateral relations.

“You are Bulgaria’s best ambassadors in Israel because you have always been our friends,” the Head of State emphasized. The President extended his gratitude for the enthusiasm with which the Bulgarian Jews preserve the traditions and spirit of the bilateral relations by establishing clubs, organizations and associations.

“We share the common position with President Rivlin that the ties between Bulgaria and Israel should be more active and beneficial in all spheres, not only in the spheres of economy and investments,” the Head of State further said.

In his statement the President was adamant that the unprecedented act of rescuing the Bulgarian Jews during World War II is an act that every Bulgarian justifiably takes pride in. In Rumen Radev’s words, this fact is by far not accidental, but is based on the age-old ties between Bulgarians and Jews.  “The Jewish community in Bulgaria has always been fully integrated and an integral part of Bulgarian society. The Bulgarian Jews have always been together with their Bulgarian fellow citizens in the Bulgarian people’s struggles, and have also been in the forefront of Bulgaria’s science, education and arts,” Rumen Radev further said.

The delegation led by the Bulgarian Head of State includes Alexander Oscar, president of the Organization of the Jews in Bulgaria, and also Sofia Cohen, President of the Central Israelite Religious Council of Bulgaria and member of the National Council of the religious communities in Bulgaria. The meeting was attended by many representatives of the organizations of Bulgarian Jews in the State of Israel.