Sofia, Bulgaria: Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel attended a prayer ceremony for peace initiated by the Jewish Organization in Bulgaria (OJB) in the Sofia Synagogue.
She condemned the brutal terrorist attacks of Hamas in Israel and urged to support the Israeli people at this time. Foreign Minister Gabriel extended her condolences during the prayer to the victims and their families.
“There is no excuse for such an act of violence, and Israel has the right to defend itself under international and humanitarian law”, said Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel.
So far, the conflict has resulted in 1300 deaths from the Israeli side; all were civilians. The war has entered its tenth day. On Sunday, October 15, 2023, the Israeli forces continued preparing for an immense ground operation in Gaza, neutralizing Hamas terrorists near the Gaza border.
The ongoing conflict has killed about 4,000 on both sides and wounded even more. More explosions across the northern Gaza skyline, seen from Sderot, in southern Israel, as Israeli forces continued to retaliate.
Several Bulgarian officials, including President Rumen Radev, Chairman of the National Assembly Rosen Zhelyazkov, Mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova, ministers, representatives of the parliament, ambassadors, members and friends of the Jewish community in Bulgaria, were present in a Prayer for Peace in the Sofia Synagogue.
The Bulgarian head of the state President Rumen Radev remarked that Bulgaria strongly condemns the terrorist attack launched by the radical Palestinian movement ‘Hamas’ and stands in solidarity with Israel. He added that Israel has the right to defend itself by any means necessary.
Benjamin Netanyahu, prime Minister of Israel, assembled Israel’s expanded emergency cabinet for the first time yesterday, saying the national unity on display sent a message at home and abroad as the country gears up to “demolish Hamas” in Gaza.
DPM, and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel announced that the Government is always willing to help its people when needed.
She urged the residents to inform the embassy about the missing Bulgarian in Israel. So far, Bulgaria has evacuated its citizens from Israel amid escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas. Nearly 100 Bulgarian nationals were evacuated on government planes.