Djuric: Israel's recognition of so-called Kosovo was major blow to Serbia-Israel ties

WASHINGTON - Serbian Ambassador to the US Marko Djuric says Kosovo-Metohija is the cradle of Serbia’s statehood, spirituality, culture and identity, and that Israel's recognition of the so-called Kosovo was the most significant blow to Serbia-Israel relations in 75 years.

"Bilateral relations did take a serious blow. But the relations between the Serbs and the Jews are so strong and well founded that I can proudly say that we are continuing to develop our relations in so many spheres again, and I am convinced we will continue to do so at an even greater pace," Djuric told Israel's Jerusalem Post in an interview.

He noted that Kosovo-Metohija was a "sacrosanct land for the Serbs."

"It is not merely 13 per cent of our sovereign territory, it is a cradle of Serbia’s statehood, spirituality, culture, and identity," he added.

Kosovo-Metohija is "recognised as a part of Serbia by the UN and 110 countries around the world, with a total population of 79.8 per cent of humanity supporting Serbia’s position on the status of Kosovo," he said.

"In the past three years, 27 countries have revoked or frozen the recognition of Kosovo, to allow a solution through dialogue. Israel was the sole new recogniser," Djuric said, noting that Serbia saw Israel as one of its close friends.

He also noted that Serbia's "desire to move our embassy to Jerusalem was, unfortunately, suspended by Israel’s recognition of the so-called Kosovo in 2020."

"Nevertheless, we went ahead and opened a Trade Office in Jerusalem in 2021, hence reaffirming our commitment to building stronger economic and business ties with Israel," he added.

Djuric said his cousin Alon Ohel, a 23-year-old dual Israeli/Serbian citizen, was being held hostage by Hamas.

"The highest Serbian officials have unequivocally condemned the terrorist attack by Hamas," Djuric said.

"We are watching with great concern the visible rise of various forms of historic revisionism and antisemitism alike. Serbia is different than many European nations in the sense that antisemitism is not only very rare but also appears exclusively as misbehavior of individuals.

There is no underlying cultural bias against the Jews. On the contrary. If we can generalise, the Jews are looked upon with respect and are seen as brothers and sisters in suffering," Djuric noted.