Romania has been and will continue to be with the Israeli people, condemns in the harshest terms the terrorist attacks of October 7 and pleads for the immediate and unconditional release of all the hostages held by Hamas, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Monday.

„It gives me great pleasure to participate today in the events celebrating the 145th anniversary of the granting of Romanian citizenship to the Jews of Romania, thus honoring their major contribution throughout our history. The contribution of the members of the Jewish community to the construction of the modern Romanian state is a historically attested and indisputable reality. The modern Romanian state would not have existed in its current form without the civic, economic, scientific and cultural contribution of the members of the Jewish community”, stated Ciolacu on the occasion of the concert organized by the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania for the celebration of 145 years since the granting of citizenship to the Jews of Romania.

The Prime Minister emphasized the fact that they fought on the front for Romania both in the War of Independence, in the World War I and in World War II.

„The citizenship of the first Jew has an important symbolic value and represents the moment when this contribution begins to be officially recognized”, added Marcel Ciolacu.

According to the Prime Minister, Romania and the State of Israel have developed a solid partnership, which over time has gained strategic value, the cooperation being carried out successfully in various fields of common interest.

„Our states have managed to maintain an excellent level of bilateral relations, even in moments of crossroads, the ones we are facing today. As you know, from the beginning of the terrible crisis that is currently affecting the Middle East, Romania has been will continue to be with the Israeli people, proving its solidarity with them on numerous occasions and condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks of October 7. I want to assure you that Romania will continue to plead for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas,” Ciolacu also said.

He thanked the State of Israel for the support given in the evacuation of the Palestinian children who arrive in Romania and will receive medical treatment in the hospitals of our country.

„It is a proof of deep humanity, which proves that the fight against terrorism and all ideologies based on hatred should not be confused with helping civilian victims, especially children, who fall prey to these forms of extreme violence”, highlighted Marcel Ciolacu.

PM Ciolacu gave assurances regarding the maintenance of the Government’s commitments and support for the actions aimed at combating anti-Semitism, as well as for cultural and educational ones, „intended to educate the general public about the contribution of the Jewish community to the building of the modern Romanian state”.

AGERPRES