The City of Sarajevo conveys only the messages of peace to the entire world, the city administration said on Sunday in response to the Israeli Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Galit Peleg, who called out the Sarajevo Mayor for the participation in the pro-Palestinian rally in the Bosnian capital.

“If you support #Palestinians why don't you condemn #Hamas?,” the ambassador posted on X on Sunday afternoon, an hour after the rally took place in Sarajevo, tagging mayoress Benjamina Karic in the post.

“Hamas committed MASSACRE in Israel and then use Palestinians in #Gaza as human shields. 550 (!) Hamas rockets launched at Israel fell in Gaza, killed Palestinians, including #AlAhliHospital,” she said.

But, the City Administration swiftly responded, recalling that Karic has always been condemning the killing of all innocent civilians. Its press release assessed the ambassador's word as “tendentious”, aimed at “discrediting” the mayoress and the City of Sarajevo.

“Also, we would like to stress that neither the Israeli Ambassador nor anyone else can tailor the stands of the City and the City has not and will not succumb to any pressures,” the city administration said in response, urging the ambassador to focus instead on “seeking for a solution for the well-being of both Israeli and Palestinian people.”

Sarajevo mayor at pro-Palestinian protest: Sarajevo stands for peace and all innocent victims

Thousands gathered in the Bosnian capital on Sunday to express support for the Palestinian people amidst the conflict.

“Sarajevo has always been on the right side of history. Sarajevo always fought for the innocent ones and for the justice. We know the best how it is to run out of water, food and when children are dying. Sarajevo as the city under the longest siege in the modern history,” said Karic addressing the crowd that gathered on the square across the City Hall.

The rally was organised by the Palestinian Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.