Lukashenko recalled how he was greeted in Israel, although opponents tried to connect him with anti-Semitism
During his today’s meeting with representatives of Belarus’ religious denominations, Head of State Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled his visit to Israel and how he was welcomed by locals there, despite the fact that opponents tried to attribute anti-Semitism to him, BelTA reports
"I remember my first visit to Israel, when scoundrels here, especially from among the nationalists, kept trying to attribute anti-Semitism to me. A campaign was launched, and I thought of how I would go to Israel [against its background]. I made a decision [to go, I thought then]: our people are smart, they will understand," the Head of State said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko added that, immediately upon arrival in Israel, literally when he got off the plane, he was informed that a large number of local Jews were waiting for him. As a result, it was decided to organise a meeting at a large hotel hall, which could seat several hundred representatives from among those who wanted to meet. "It was necessary to get out of the situation. We agreed that someone would explain to people and suggest that they come to an agreement. The latter was achieved, and representatives were invited," the Belarusian leader recalled those events.
As noted by the Head of State, the meeting also touched upon the contribution of Jews to the victory over Nazism. Aleksandr Lukashenko openly stated then that Jews had probably nowhere else fought in the way as in Belarus. "If necessary, they avenged their dead compatriots, and fought with all their strength – just like Slavs: Russians and Belarusians. You know, everyone rose in applause. That’s how ‘an anti-Semite’ was welcomed in the Israeli state," the President noted.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also recalled how the decision to open a memorial complex in Trostenets (many Jews and representatives of other nationalities died there) had been made. At that time, the Head of State shared his firm position not to divide the dead by nationality. "I said: ‘'Look, stop dividing, let's create a memorial there’. These were our people, our citizens. If we take it in proportion, the Nazis probably did not destroy more Jews than in Belarus in any of the territories," the President said.
