A major European rabbinical group on Wednesday accused the Bosnian government of forcing the cancellation of the group’s biannual meeting in Sarajevo, possibly in connection with Israel’s actions.
The Swissotel in Sarajevo this week pulled the plug suddenly on the biannual Standing Committee meeting of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER) following political pressure from a senior Bosnian government official, according to CER President Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt.
Swissotel and the office of the Federal Minister of Labour and Social Policy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Adnan Delic, did not immediately reply to a JNS query requesting a reaction to Goldschmidt’s allegation that Delic cancelled the event to punish the rabbis for Israel’s actions.
“We have been made unwelcome, and this last-minute, ministerial boycott of Jewish European citizens is disgraceful,” said Goldschmidt.
The cancellation follows a statement by Delic on Tuesday calling the conference an attempt at “legitimizing a genocidal creation and their shameful acts of crimes against humanity,” referencing Israel. “This is directly contrary to everything Sarajevo is and has stood for throughout history,” he added, urging local and government authorities to block the gathering.
The high-profile gathering was scheduled to take place next week, featuring participants from across Europe, including France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The meetings typically address key challenges facing Jewish communities and broader issues of religious freedom.
The CER, which advocates for religious rights and Jewish communal life across Europe, emphasized that its events are apolitical and focus on fostering interfaith dialogue and democratic values. “CER events foster dialogue, boost interfaith activity, and promote public engagement. It is Sarajevo’s loss,” stated Goldschmidt. He confirmed that the event will now be held in Munich with the support of the Bavarian government.
“This decision to block a European-Jewish conference on European soil is not only alarming, but also revealing,” Goldschmidt added. “It is a clear violation of EU commitments and values.”
He called for Bosnia and Herzegovina to be reconsidered for E.U. accession over what he described as a “disgraceful castigation of a European faith group.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina is not yet a member of the European Union. It has been granted candidate status since December 2022 and is in the process of implementing reforms to meet the requirements for membership.