Israeli President Herzog Makes Historic Visit to Romania

Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrived in Romania for an official visit upon the invitation of Romanian President Nicușor Dan. One of the most important aspects of the visit was to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Iași pogrom, which took place during World War II. Both leaders expressed their determination to preserve historical memory and pass it on to future generations. The visit focused not only on the memory of the past but also on the strong diplomatic relations between the two countries. The two leaders also brought current issues such as shared values and regional peace to the table.

The visit to the city of Iași was of great significance in tracing the marks of one of the most tragic events in history. A pogrom is known as a term for organized acts of violence directed against a specific community. Many pogroms occurred across Europe and particularly in Romania at various periods in history, but this violence reached its peak during World War II. In this context, the remains of 22 Jewish victims who lost their lives in Iași in 1941 were reinterred in a ceremony at the Iași Jewish Cemetery. The remains had been exhumed a few years earlier from mass graves found in a forested area in the commune of Popricani, located in the Iași county.

President Herzog, speaking at the burial ceremony, stated that he came to Iași with great humility and deep emotion. He emphasized that keeping alive the memory of the thousands of Jewish men, women, children, and the elderly who were massacred in the region in June and July of 1941 cannot erase the pain. Herzog added that every generation must learn this dark history and see firsthand what happened in Iași. Upon his return to Bucharest, Herzog also touched upon the importance of a culture of remembrance, calling for the whole world to unite against this toxic hatred, especially at a time when antisemitism is resurging globally. He also expressed his gratitude for Romania's determination to accurately pass on history to future generations.

Beyond its historical and human dimension, the visit also shed light on the solid diplomatic foundations between Israel and Romania. Herzog pointed out that the two countries are vibrant democracies bound together by deep shared values and possess a diplomatic relationship spanning over 70 years. Herzog also mentioned Israel's struggle against Iran and its proxies following the attacks by Hamas and other armed groups in October 2023, expressing his gratitude to Romania for its support of Israel during this challenging period. Furthermore, he emphasized that Israel desires to live in peace with its neighbors and supports regional stability. Herzog, noting that the relationship between the two countries is not merely a partnership but also a deep friendship, invited Romanian President Dan and his wife Mirabela Grădinaru to Israel.

Romanian President Nicușor Dan paid his respects at the 85th-anniversary commemoration of the Iași pogrom, stating that the wounds of the past must not be forgotten. Drawing attention to the dangerous rise of hate speech and antisemitism today, Dan emphasized the need to combat such threats with both determination and great sensitivity. In the later hours of the visit, Herzog was scheduled to deliver a speech at the joint general assembly of the Romanian Parliament. Ambassadors from European Union member states and representatives of the Israeli Embassy were also invited to this important session. Additionally, the heads of diplomatic missions of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova attended the session, aiming to strengthen regional cooperation and solidarity.