Netanyahu Thanks Bulgaria for Rescue of Bulgarian Jews, Firefighting Aid

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov in Sofia on Thursday. Photo by BGNES

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised the historically strong ties between Bulgaria and Israeli, and has expressed gratitude for Bulgarian aid in the past.

He was in Sofia with several members of his Cabinet for the joint sitting the governments of Bulgaria and Israel.

"I am very impressed by what I saw here in Bulgaria – you have very energetic ministers and a very energetic prime minister," Israel's PM said stressing the strong historic connection between the two countries during his joint news conference with Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov.

Netanyahu emphasized the rescue of the almost 50 000 Bulgarian Jews from the Holocaust during World War II who were not deported to the Nazi death camps even though Bulgaria was allied with Hitler.

"We have a very strong bond. It comes from the hardest times in our history. We know what was written in the famous telegram sent from Sofia to Berlin during World War II, "We cannot promise cooperation on the Jewish question because the Bulgarian people still haven't reached the necessary level for the Nazi doctrine." The mobilization of the Bulgarian society and elite who saved thousands of Jews is something that we will remember and value forever. I think the entire world needs to know about this," Netanyahu declared.

Borisov replied by thanking his Israeli counterpart for sending a message to the entire world by recognizing Bulgaria's role for the rescue of the Bulgarian Jews during World War II.

"Unfortunately, even here in Bulgaria there are a lot of speculations on this episode," he said.

Israel's PM also did not forget to thank Bulgaria for its help in 2010 when the Borisov Cabinet sent to Israel 85 firefighters to help extinguish raging wildfires.

"I didn't call your Prime Minister. He called me before I can call him. He sent 85 firefighters in Israel and the entire nation saw what they are capable of, and appreciated this gesture of friendship," Netanyahu said.

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