Finci: Bosnian Jews Feel Safe in Their Homes

(Patria) - The Jewish community in BiH, led by Jakob Finci, has issued a statement regarding the cancellation of a concert planned for the anniversary of Kristallnacht.

"Given that the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina has sent a dispatch to all security services in Bosnia and Herzegovina to increase the presence of police officers at locations where facilities of significance to the Jewish and Palestinian communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina are located, for the purpose of protecting citizens and preserving cultural and religious sites, as well as the increased level of antisemitism and the lack of reaction to antisemitism from competent authorities, we have decided to cancel the event due to fears that it might be misused for daily political events.

It is important to note that the event was not publicly announced, and no media outlet in Bosnia and Herzegovina received notification of its scheduling or cancellation. Therefore, we consider the headlines that appeared in some media outlets to be very tendentious and irresponsible.

We particularly emphasize that the leaders of Jewish organizations have publicly stated on several occasions that Jews in Sarajevo, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, feel safe in their homes; however, the decisions we make are in accordance with legal regulations and the circumstances in which society finds itself.

We thank everyone for understanding this situation and hope that we will be able to gather again soon to jointly promote diversity, understanding, and coexistence in our beautiful country," the statement reads.