The Bosnian Jewish community condemned two incidents in Sarajevo and Tuzla where anti-Semitic graffiti were written on buildings where members of the Jewish community live. The Mayor of Sarajevo immediately reacted to these incidents, condemning them and stressing the centuries-old coexistence of different religious communities in the country.

The Jewish community has always pointed to Bosnia and Herzegovina as an example of tolerance, coexistence and good-neighbourly relations, and a country with no anti-Semitic incidents.

“We received this news with regret and bitterness, aware that these incidents will not violate the good neighbourly relations that Bosnian Jews built with their fellow citizens from other ethnic and religious groups. We appeal to the competent authorities to identify and punish the perpetrators in accordance with the law,” said the Jewish community.

“Sarajevo Mayor Abdulah Skaka strongly condemns the writing of offensive graffiti on residential buildings inhabited by members of the Jewish community in Sarajevo and Tuzla. Sarajevo citizens have been nourishing the wealth of different cultures for decades, and the inter-religious respect has been preserved in Sarajevo even in the most difficult times,” said the Office of the Sarajevo Mayor. “We are convinced that the attitude of the majority of citizens of Sarajevo, regardless of their religious or ethnic background, is that these acts will never be welcome in this city.”

Mayor Skaka and the City administration called on all competent institutions to identify the perpetrators, punish them appropriately and inform the public about the case.