Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade on Wednesday alongside an Israeli woman whose son is being held captive by Hamas in Gaza.
Herzog was accompanied on the visit by Idit Ohel, an Israeli of Serbian origin whose son Alon was taken hostage when Hamas attacked the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im on Oct. 7, 2023. Alon has been in captivity for 342 days.
“Thank you very much, my good friend President Vučić, for your kind hospitality,” said Herzog. “You mentioned so graciously and emotionally the plight of 101 Israeli hostages—hostages who are from various nationalities. One of them is Alon Ohel, a young Israeli of Serbian origin, who is a musician, an incredible kid, who was there at the music festival” near Kibbutz Re’im.
“The world must remember and know that the plight and the return of the hostages should be the utmost objective of the international community,” the president added as he introduced Idit Ohel to his Serbian counterpart.
Upon his arrival at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport, Herzog was received by Foreign Minister Marko Đurić, the President’s Residence said, noting that Serbia’s top diplomat is related to Ohel.
The Israeli head of state also met with Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić. Herzog participated in a Holocaust memorial ceremony and met with the local Jewish community.
On Thursday, Herzog is scheduled to fly to Albania at the invitation of the country’s prime minister and president, marking the first state visit of a representative of the Jewish state to the Muslim-majority nation.
He will be received by the president of Albania, Bajram Begaj. Herzog will also hold political and economic meetings with Prime Minister Edi Rama and Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali, Herzog’s office said.
The president’s visit to Albania will conclude with a ceremony at a Holocaust monument in the country’s capital at the invitation of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj and with the participation of the Jewish community.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a trip to Albania in November 2018, with local media reporting the decision was made due to indications that terrorists would try to target him during the visit.
“Israel stands with Albania as it stands with every country that sees the Iranian regime for what it is: the greatest threat to world peace and security,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement at the time.
