ICEJ finds new momentum in Croatia
By Dr. Mojmir Kallus, Vice President for International Affairs 
 
In November, I visited Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, accompanied by our regional coordinator Jaroslav Sloboda to assess the new momentum for the Christian Embassy in the Balkan region. We were treated to a very rich program arranged by Vatroslav Župančić, the new ICEJ Representative for ICEJ-Croatia. 

The itinerary included a high-profile one-hour interview on Croatian national TV, conducted by Romano Bolković, a famous local journalist. His “one-on-one” program is well known in the country and everybody we talked to was thrilled we were featured on the current affairs show. The interview was held in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and I was able to explain the reasons why Christians support Israel, our approach to the current war, how Israel is fighting a just war, and the dangers of the radical Islamic regime in Iran. 

We also met the chairwoman of the Croatia-Israel parliamentary group, Ms. Marijana Petir, and visited with the chief rabbi of Croatia, Luciano Moše Prelević. In addition, we met Dr. Michal Brandl, chair of Jewish and Holocaust studies at Zagreb University, and had a public debate at the local library together with Boris Havel, associate professor of Middle East studies at Zagreb University, where he is known as “Mister Israel” in Croatia. 

The trip heralds a new era in the work of ICEJ in this predominantly Catholic country. There actually is quite a history of our engagement there. Boris Havel, who had previously studied at Ulf Eckman’s Bible School in Uppsala, Sweden, became the first ICEJ representative many years ago. He has been a staunch supporter of Israel and made a public career as a journalist, civil servant and academic. His voice is widely respected in Croatia, which currently counts as one of the most Israel-friendly nations in the European Union. With Vatroslav, a Methodist minister, and Boris’ support, the ICEJ can play a effective role of encouraging Christians to comfort and support Israel in Croatia. 

ICEJ appoints a new representative in Serbia
By ICEJ Staff

During their recent trip to Southeastern Europe, ICEJ leaders Mojmir Kallus and Jaroslav Sloboda visited Serbia and participated in a national conference of the Pentecostal Church in Kraljevo, organized by pastor Aleksandar Vitakić. He is a dynamic leader who understands Israel and the vision of ICEJ and wants to share it with his fellow believers in Serbia. He graduated from our leadership course last year as one of the best students. At the conference, Aleksandar was officially appointed as the new representative for ICEJ-Serbia. 

ICEJ-Netherlands condemns antisemitic pogrom in Amsterdam 
By Marelinke van der Riet 

In early November, a violent antisemitic attack unfolded following an Ajax-Maccabi Tel Aviv football match in Amsterdam. Israeli fans of the Maccabi club were hunted down, harassed, and some violently attacked. The shocking melee quickly led both Israeli and world leaders to label it a “pogrom”. To further deepen the tragedy, the rioting occurred on 8 November, just one day before the anniversary of Kristallnacht—the infamous “Night of Broken Glass” which marked the beginning of the Holocaust. 

The ICEJ-Netherlands branch strongly condemned this vile antisemitic attack and called on Dutch government leaders to take immediate action to curb the growing tide of antisemitism. Jacob Keegstra, national director for ICEJ-Netherlands, also issued a statement expressing horror and shame over the events of November 8. In just 10 days, the statement quickly gathered over 14,000 signatures from Dutch Christians in support of the local Jewish community. This petition, along with the handwritten signatures, were delivered to Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and the Chairman of the House of Representatives, MP Martin Bosma, as well as the Deputy Ambassador of Israel Yaron Wax. Keegstra also shared the petition with the Dutch Chief Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs (pictured). 

Main photo: Mojmir Kallus (L to R), Vatroslav Župančić and Boris Havel in the public library.