On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of official diplomatic relations between Israel and Serbia and the 45th anniversary of Maccabi Tel Aviv's first victory in the European Cup, a series of events were held in Belgrade aimed at strengthening ties between Israel and Jewish communities in Europe through the Euroleague basketball team
Today, (Thursday), a series of official events were held in the presence of the Israeli Ambassador to Serbia, Yahel Villan, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of official diplomatic relations between Israel and Serbia and the 45th anniversary of Maccabi Tel Aviv's first European Cup victory.
The events took place as part of the "One Group - With One" project led by the Center for Jewish Impact, the Department of Israel and Holocaust Remembrance at the World Zionist Organization and the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club, in cooperation with the Israeli Embassy in Serbia. Judaism in Europe, through Maccabi Tel Aviv's games in the Euroleague.
The opening events began last night, with a gala screening of the film "On the Map", at the Belgrade Cinematheque, which documents the basketball team's first and historic victory in the European Cup 45 years ago.
Following this, a wreath-laying ceremony was held this morning at the Staro Seimishta memorial site commemorating the tens of thousands of Serbian Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust.
Afterwards, they were guests of honor in the Serbian parliament and met with Vladimir Marikovic, head of the Israeli-Serbian lobby in the Serbian parliament.
The events were attended by the chairman of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club, Shimon Mizrahi, the basketball legend Tal Brody, the CEO of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club, Adali Marcus, the former star and currently the VP of Marketing and Sales of Maccabi Tel Aviv Doron Jamchi , Representative of the Center for Jewish Impact Colonel Av.
The "One Group - One Nation" project is a unique collaboration created out of recognition of the great importance of sports for promoting tolerance values and preventing hatred in society, and out of a desire to express solidarity and support for Jewish communities in the shadow of many anti-Semitic events around the world.
Israeli Ambassador to Serbia, Yahel Villan: This year we mark 30 years of Israel-Serbia relations, and 45 years of Maccabi Tel Aviv's first victory in the 1977 European Cup in Belgrade.
4,000 Israeli fans received special permission to come to Belgrade, despite the fact that there were no diplomatic relations between the two countries at the time. The heroine here in Belgrade.
This event will also open the 30th anniversary of the two countries' relations and we are happy and proud to host Tal Brody, 45 years after he lifted the European Cup here.
Robert Singer, Chairman of the Center for Jewish Impact: "Today we mark two historical events engraved on the pages of the history of the State of Israel.
A combination of these two events shows how sport can promote diplomatic relations between two countries as happened thanks to the same historic game in which, for the first time in the country's history, an Israeli team won the Euroleague.
Together with our partners, we will continue to promote the important connection of the Jewish communities in the Diaspora to the State of Israel through sports.
I will take this opportunity to wish Maccabi Tel Aviv success in tonight's game and will continue to keep Israeli sports on the map. "
Shimon Mizrahi, Chairman of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club: "I am happy that the cooperation between the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club and the Center for Jewish Impact continues.
"After a big opening event at the Heichal HaMaccabim Museum at Menora Mivtachim Hall at the beginning of the game season, we held activities in Milan, Berlin, now in Belgrade and the hand is still out."
Tova Dorfman, Deputy Chairman of the World Zionist Organization: "The sports industry is a platform that can unite, break down barriers between people, reduce stigmas and connect peoples.
"We are pleased to take part in a project that does this in the best possible way and with partners who are loyal to promoting the values of tolerance, preserving the memory of the Holocaust for a better future, and building a bridge with local Jewish communities - such as the wonderful Jewish community of Belgrade."
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