Calls for joint efforts for peace on Slovenia-Israel Friendship Day

The friendship between Slovenia and Israel extends back to the Second World War and our joint fight against Fascism and Nazism. In that period, Slovenians and Jews forged solid ties of friendship at all levels that continue to this day, with strengthened cooperation in the fields of technological innovation, cyber security and artificial intelligence. The President of the Republic believes that this is the foundation of friendship and an encouraging prospect for further strengthening of relations between the two countries and people in the spirit of mutual understanding and constructive cooperation. She thanked the State of Israel for its understanding and active support during Slovenia's independence and entry into international relations.

"This year’s celebration of the Slovenia-Israel Friendship Day consists of another symbolic bond, the story and destiny of two young, creative and courageous poets who lost their lives in 1944, much too soon," President Pirc Musar recalled the Israeli poet and national heroine Hannah Szenes and Slovenian poet and national hero Karel Destovnik Kajuh. Both have a special place in people's hearts and are still symbols of rebellion today.

"With their poems, Szenes and Kajuh gave a voice to millions of young people who have lost everything in the maelstrom of war, even their lives. Their poems are eternal because they are sincere, but also eerily timeless, although eighty years will have passed next year since their untimely deaths," she said, describing the time when young people were "experiencing the collapse of the old world and hiding so much hope" with words from Kajuh’s poem Naša pesem (Our Song). With the war in Ukraine, Middle East crisis and violence elsewhere in the world, the President of the Republic assessed that we seem to have ignored the lessons of history, especially from the Second World War. On this occasion, therefore, as the leader of the country and as a mother, she called for a common vow that Kajuh's verses of despair would not also be the confession of the generation of our children and their children – so that young people would never again look hopelessly at a world that is collapsing.

The President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, addressed the audience in a special video. "We will forever be connected by the sacrifices of our parents and their brave story amid the ugly forces of nazism and fascism in Europe in those days eight decades ago. I am deeply touched that Slovenia has embraced the story of Hannah Szenes and her heroic colleagues. Their courage knew no bounds and they continue to inspire us as a testament to the potential heights of human bravery," he said, calling for a commitment to continue working as partners for a common future of prosperity and friendship.

The Mayor of Metlika Martina Legan Janžeković and the Ambassador of the State of Israel Ze'ev Boker also had a welcome address. The life and heritage of Hannah Szenes was presented by Yehuda Wegman, former curator of the House of Hannah Szenes from Kibbutz Sdot Yam.

Slovenian Army Orchestra performed at the ceremony. Maja Kutin and Jože Matekovič read the memoires about Hannah Szenes and the kind-hearted people of Bela Krajina, written by the Israeli-Croatian paratrooper Reuven Dafni and the partisan Makso Šnuderl. They were accompanied by guitarist Dror Orgad.