‘Each country goes its own way’: How Balkan politics shape ties with Israel
Summary
Balkan countries have different and sometimes opposing views on Israel’s war in Gaza, shaped by their own politics, history, and interests rather than a shared position. For example, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, ethnic groups have contrasting attitudes towards Israel and Palestine, while Serbia maintains a complex relationship by supporting arms sales to Israel despite backing Palestine in international voting.Key Facts
- Balkan countries show varied and individual positions on Israel and Gaza, not a unified stance.
- Bosnian Muslims generally support Palestinians, relating to their own history of conflict, while Bosnian Serbs largely support Israel.
- Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik supports Israel as part of his political strategy, linking it to ethnic and religious alliances.
- Dodik also has political ties to Russia and support for President Donald Trump’s movement.
- Serbia has a history of supporting Palestine but has sold arms and ammunition to Israel since October 2023.
- Serbia opened a drone assembly plant linked to Israel in September 2023, indicating growing defense cooperation.
- Balkan countries’ foreign policies on Israel are influenced more by domestic politics and local national stories than by Middle East issues directly.
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