Shimon Peres: People of Israel Immeasurably Grateful to Bulgaria

Israeli President Shimon Peres was decorated with Bulgaria's highest state order during his official visit to Sofia Wednesday. Photo by BGNES.

Isreali President Shimon Peres, who is on an official visit to Bulgaria, expressed utmost gratitude to the Bulgarian people for saving its Jews during the Second World War and praised their courage and humanity.

Bulgarian President Parvanov decorated his Israeli counterpart, who is the holder of the Nobel Peace Prize, with Bulgaria's highest state distinction, the Stara Planina Order, First Degree.

In a highly emotional speach upon accepting the order, Shimon Peres extended his warm gratitude to Bulgaria for refusing to deport its Jews to death during the Second World War, singling out Bulgaria as a "country that is exceptional among all countries".

Peres implicitly likened the Bulgarian and Israeli nation, saying that over its history "Bulgaria has been attacked from all directions, but has never bowed down."

The Israeli president said that the Bulgarian people should in turn receive an order - "for its humanity, its bravery, its standing up against the Nazi regime."

The two heads of state had also lain wreaths at the Unknown Warrior monument in Sofia.

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