Romania’s PM Marcel Ciolacu Meets Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem

On Tuesday, October 17, in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu had an official meeting with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as meetings with representatives of the Romanian community in this country affected by the deterioration of the security situation in the area.

During the meeting with the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu sent a message of solidarity to the Israeli people and authorities on behalf of Romania and firmly condemned the terrorist attacks, anti-Semitism and hate speech.

Romanian society, the community of Israelis in Romania and that of Romanians in Israel mourn the innocent victims – women, children, and young people in the prime of life, following the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas. I convey our compassion for the loss of human lives and for the numerous injured, among whom, tragically, there were also citizens of Romanian origin.

Romania’s PM Marcel Ciolacu’s message during official visit to Jerusalem

The Prime Minister emphasized that protecting democratic values and respecting human rights are essential to resolve this violence rapidly.

The Romanian government wants lasting peace in this region, where an important community of Romanians lives, with whom we are in permanent contact. We are ready to provide emergency assistance at any time if needed. Along with the international community, Romania calls for the immediate release of all hostages and kidnapped persons and to refrain from any other act of aggression, especially against civilian targets.

Marcel Ciolacu, Romania’s Prime Minister, in Israel

The prime minister also called for facilitating humanitarian corridors in Gaza and providing the necessary assistance to refugees.

In Israel, Prime Minister Ciolacu met with representatives of the Romanian community affected by the security situation in the region. So far, the Romanian authorities have provided support for the safe repatriation of over 2,200 Romanian citizens from Israel and are continuing their efforts to provide consular assistance to Romanian citizens who will request support for their return to the country.

Romania’s Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu’s speech during the joint press conference with Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, October 17

Marcel Ciolacu: I decided to come to Israel today because partners and friends must demonstrate solidarity in difficult times as the Israeli people are currently experiencing.

Romanian society, the community of Israelis in Romania and the community of Romanians in Israel mourn alongside you, Mr. Prime Minister, the innocent victims – women, children, and young people in the prime of life, following the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas.

I convey our sympathy for all these losses of human life and the many injured, among whom, tragically, there were citizens of Romanian origin.

Mr. Prime Minister, Romania remains consistent in its relations with the Middle East. We are highly concerned about the escalating spiral of violence, with dire consequences for the Israeli and Palestinian civilian population.

I want to assure the Romanians in our country that we maintain our attitude as promoters of peace. Still, we will unconditionally stand by our allies and friends in difficult moments, defending democratic values.

Romania strongly condemned what happened in Israel recently, the atrocities committed by Hamas, a terrorist group that holds the population hostage to satisfy its extremist interests.

In this context, the Romanian Parliament was the first legislative forum among democratic states to declare solidarity with the Israeli state in a joint session.

Along with the international community, Romania calls for the immediate release of all hostages and kidnapped persons and to refrain from any other act of aggression, especially against civilian targets.

I conveyed to Prime Minister Netanyahu that in the face of these attacks, Israel has the right to defend itself.

I am calling for the facilitation of humanitarian corridors in Gaza. I am convinced that the entire international community will get involved in opening humanitarian corridors and providing the necessary assistance to refugees.

Mr. Prime Minister, lastly, I would like to thank you for the involvement of the Israeli authorities and the support given to the safe repatriation of over 2,200 Romanian citizens from Israel.

In conclusion, I reiterate the necessity and urgency of a lasting peace in the Middle East and wish for a joint effort to evacuate Romanian citizens from the Gaza Strip safely.

We hope that such moments do not happen again.