Balkan State Faces Backlash Over Antisemitic Ban on European Rabbis' Summit

A scheduled gathering of top European rabbis in Sarajevo was abruptly cancelled last month by Bosnian authorities, sparking accusations of state-sponsored antisemitism and a growing international campaign to halt the country’s entry into the European Union.

The Permanent Committee of the Conference of European Rabbis had planned to meet at the Swisshotel in Sarajevo just days after the outbreak of Israel’s Operation Rising Lion. Despite prior coordination, the event was called off one week before its scheduled date, allegedly due to “heightened security risks.”

However, it soon emerged that the real reason was a public letter by Bosnian Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Adnan Delic, who demanded the event be banned. In his letter, Delic described Sarajevo as a city of “openness,” while simultaneously urging all civic institutions to block the Jewish-European summit. No condemnation followed from the Bosnian government.

The backlash intensified when former Grand Mufti Mustafa Cerić issued a public statement accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and calling on the rabbis to denounce the war, comparing the conflict to the Holocaust.

The spiritual leader of European Jewry, Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, responded with force, calling the cancellation a “moral scandal” and launching a diplomatic campaign—alongside major Jewish and Christian organizations—to deny Bosnia’s EU accession.

Rabbi Goldschmidt: “This Is Not Revenge. It’s a Necessary Response”

Despite receiving a belated apology and invitation from Bosnia’s prime minister, Rabbi Goldschmidt dismissed the gesture as insufficient. He warned that failing to respond decisively would endanger Jewish life across Europe.

“There is no legitimate reason why Bosnia cancelled the summit. These were religious leaders gathering to discuss Jewish life in Europe. The connection to Israel was fabricated to justify antisemitic pressure,” he said. “Bosnia does not deserve to join the EU.”

According to sources close to the negotiations, the EU is now seriously considering freezing or delaying Bosnia’s accession—a move that would deal a major economic and diplomatic blow to the country.

A senior official from one of the world’s leading Jewish organizations, speaking anonymously, said, “If this process is halted or delayed, it sends a clear message: antisemitism has consequences. Bosnia’s EU bid is crucial to its economy and morale. Losing it would be a heavy blow.”

Open Antisemitism in a Supposedly Tolerant Nation

Delic’s letter, backed by high-ranking officials, accused Israel of war crimes and called for civic resistance to the rabbinic summit. Meanwhile, former Mufti Cerić demanded that the rabbis condemn Israel, support a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and call for the release of all prisoners “on both sides.”

In a sharply worded letter, Rabbi Goldschmidt condemned the silence of the Bosnian government. “The message is clear: Jews are not welcome. The sudden cancellation, led by a government minister, is an affront to European Jewish citizens seeking dialogue and religious freedom,” he wrote.

The rabbi emphasized that the Conference of European Rabbis promotes interfaith dialogue and civil society. “The loss is Sarajevo’s. We thank the government of Bavaria for supporting our relocation to Munich.”

EU Responds, but Will It Act?

In an official statement, an EU spokesperson said: “Freedom of religion and association is guaranteed under Bosnia’s constitution. Respect for European fundamental rights is essential for any country seeking EU membership. The EU is monitoring developments closely.”

The controversy has reignited questions about Bosnia’s growing Islamist radicalization and antisemitic rhetoric, particularly since October 7. Rabbi Goldschmidt warned that many antisemitic attacks in Europe today are disguised as criticism of Israel, often fueled by Islamist sources.

He concluded, “There is still hope for Europe, as we received strong support from Serbia’s Foreign Minister and the President of Republika Srpska, who invited us to hold the event there instead. But if Bosnia wants to be part of the European family, it must first respect its values.”