The Head of State holds a telephone talk with the President of the State of Israel

 

Bulgaria supports and is part of the international efforts to cease-fire, release the hostages, restore dialogue, and find a peaceful solution to the conflict in the Gaza Strip as soon as possible. This was stated by President Rumen Radev in a telephone conversation with the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog. The session took place in connection with President Herzog's postponed visit to Bulgaria due to the internal political situation in our country. The focus of the conversation was the military actions in the Middle East following the terrorist attack by Hamas against the State of Israel on 7 October last year and the humanitarian crisis for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

 

The Bulgarian President recalled that at the very beginning of the conflict, our country vehemently condemned the terrorist attack by Hamas against the State of Israel and denounced the taking of hostages. President Radev stated that the State of Israel has the right to self-defence against terrorism, but at the same time, he expressed his deep concern over the unprecedented number of civilian casualties and the critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, calling on Israel to find a way to guaranteeing the lives of the civilian population.

 

The head of state also pointed out that Bulgaria is part of the general decision of the European Council from March, with which European leaders call on Israel not to launch an offensive in the city of Rafah, which would have catastrophic consequences in humanitarian terms. Bulgaria shares the European Council's call for an immediate humanitarian pause that would lead to a permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid. He also recalled that among the hostages held by Hamas there are two people of Bulgarian origin.

 

During the talk, the situation with the crew of the "Galaxy Leader" ship detained off the coast of Yemen, including two Bulgarian citizens, was also discussed.