Grlić Radman in Jerusalem: Croatia supports Israel

(Patria) - Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman met today in Jerusalem with his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen.

During the meeting, Grlić Radman expressed solidarity with Israel and the Israeli people after the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas attacked the country.

"The Croatian government supports Israel in defending the state, respecting international humanitarian law and the protection of the civilian population," the statement from the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs said.

It added that the Croatian government has repeatedly condemned "the terrorist act of war, crimes against civilians, and the taking of hostages."

The meeting was an opportunity for Grlić Radman to ask his Israeli counterpart and the government in Tel Aviv for assistance in the urgent evacuation of Croatian citizens from the Gaza Strip.

During the visit, Grlić Radman also met with families of the abducted persons, of whom there are currently 224, the statement highlights.

The Croatian government at its session yesterday decided to send urgent humanitarian aid to the population of the Gaza Strip in the amount of 250,000 euros.

- It is necessary to continue providing humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza - Grlić Radman said yesterday, stating that the EU has tripled this aid "and Croatia, like other member states, joins international efforts."

In Jerusalem, Grlić Radman also met with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, with whom he discussed "the difficult humanitarian situation and the role of the international community in finding urgent and long-term sustainable solutions."