House of Reps Speaker: Dodik’s statement shows irrational hatred toward Muslims

“When the book of greatest disgraces by Bosnian politicians is eventually written,” Zvizdić said, “Dodik’s statement opposing France’s intention to recognize the State of Palestine—which in effect rejects the widely accepted two-state solution as a model for lasting peace, while supporting the continued killing and starvation of children and civilians in the Gaza Strip—will certainly have a prominent place.”

Zvizdic argued that Dodik lacks even basic knowledge of the millennia-old history of Palestine and the complex relationship between Palestinians and Jews, rendering him unfit to take any meaningful stance. “But he does know that over the past twenty months, more than 50,000 innocent Palestinian civilians have been killed, including more than 20,000 children,” Zvizdic added. “That seems to be enough for him—because the victims are Muslims—to arrogantly choose the wrong side of history and betray fundamental human and moral values.”

According to Zvizdic, no European leader—except Dodik—has refrained from condemning the mass killing of children and civilians in Gaza. “Even countries with strong ties to Israel have sent clear messages that the killing, slaughter, and starvation must stop. Likewise, no one has failed to condemn the senseless attack and killing of civilians by Hamas,” he noted.

“When Dodik speaks of a ‘nonexistent state of Palestine,’ he refuses to acknowledge the fact that 147 of the 193 United Nations member states—75% of the international community—recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. Among those are his own political and ideological allies: Russia, China, and Hungary,” Zvizdic pointed out.

He added that Dodik’s animosity toward Muslims extends far beyond Bosniaks: “It is a core part of his political identity—except, of course, when it comes to grants and investments from Muslim-majority countries.”

“In those situations—when he visits Turkey, speaks with the president of Azerbaijan, or when Saudi Arabia allocates millions for projects in the Republika Srpska—Dodik becomes all smiles and humbly greets them with: ‘Merhaba askeri,’ with more decibels than necessary,” said Zvizdic.

He went on to stress that Dodik’s opposition to France’s position—which aligns with recent decisions by Slovenia, Ireland, Norway, Spain, and several others to recognize Palestine—lacks any strategic insight or political wisdom.

“His statement reflects his own deep political desperation and is primarily a sycophantic gesture aimed at anyone he thinks might help lift the U.S. sanctions against him,” Zvizdiv said.

“But that’s not going to happen,” he concluded, “because Dodik is someone who undermines peace, the Dayton Agreement, and the constitutional order. Therefore, statements like this one are ultimately meaningless. International relations and diplomacy operate on a far more serious level than the one Dodik is used to on the domestic political stage.”

Zvizdic reminded the public of a recent precedent: Dodik’s removal from an international conference on antisemitism held in Jerusalem, underscoring how out of step he is with global norms.