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Activities

17 December 2025 The National Assembly celebrates Hanukkah

17 December 2025 The National Assembly celebrates Hanukkah

Wednesday, 17 December 2025

National Assembly Celebrates Hanukkah

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah was traditionally celebrated in the House of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia by the lighting of Hanukkah candles. On the occasion, the members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Israel and the Knesset’s Parliamentary Friendship Group with Serbia had a video meeting, in the presence of the two countries’ ambassadors and the Minister of European Integration Marko Starovic. The ceremony was also attended by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Marina Ragus and the members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Israel Danijela Nikolic, Dr Ugljesa Mrdic, Ivana Stamatovic and Goran Rakic.

The Head of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Israel MA Milovan Drecun emphasized that the celebration of Hanukkah in the highest legislative house is a symbol of respect, unity and commitment to the universal values of light, hope, perseverance and freedom. He stressed that the Hanukkah candles remind us that hope does not fade even in times of greatest trials and that light always overcomes darkness.

On the occasion, he expressed deep regret and sympathy with the victims, and their families, of the tragic events in Sydney, and solidarity with all those affected by the tragedy. The pain caused by violence and loss of life transcends national and geographical borders and represents a shared responsibility of all to stand resolutely in defence of peace, human dignity and the right to a safe life.

"The Jewish community in Serbia has deep and strong roots. For centuries, it has been and remains an integral part of our society, contributing to its development in the fields of culture, education, science, medicine, art, economy and public life. This contribution is a treasure trove of lasting value for our common heritage. The history of the Serbian and Jewish people is one of a shared living, but also one of difficult trials, in which solidarity, humanity and mutual support have left a deep mark and an obligation to preserve and pass on such values to future generations," Drecun said.

The Head of the Knesset’s Parliamentary Friendship Group with Serbia in the Knesset Boaz Toporovsky, said that celebrating Hanukkah together in the National Assembly House each year further strengthens the friendly ties between Serbia and Israel. On behalf of the Israeli people, thanked Serbia for its friendly support and assistance through concrete steps, both diplomatic and economic. "Israel never forgets the friends who stand by it," stressed Toporovsky.

The meeting was also attended by the Israeli Ambassador to Serbia Avivit Bar-Ilan, Serbian Ambassador to Israel Miroljub Petrovic, Honorary Consul of Serbia in Israel Aleksandar Nikolic, as well as the Rabbi of Serbia Isak Asiel.

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35th Sitting of the European Integration Committee

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friday, 17 april

  • 11.00 - the teachers of the “Dragisa Mihajlovic” Elementary School from Kragujevac and guests from Ada, Romania and Hungary visit the National Assembly House (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square)

  • 11.00 - press conference of the MPs of the Green-Left Front – Don’t Let Belgrade D(r)own Parliamentary Group (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square, Central Hall)

  • 11.00 - the members of the PFG with Norway meet with the Norwegian Ambassador to Serbia (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square, hall 4)

  • 12.00 - the National Assembly Speaker meets with the delegation of the Italian Senate’s European Affairs Committee (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square, hall 1)

  • 12.40 - National Assembly Deputy Speaker and Chairperson of the European Integration Committee meets with the delegation of the Italian Senate’s European Affairs Committee (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square, hall 3)

  • 15.00 - the Head and members of the PFG with Italy, the Holy See and the Sovereign Order of Malta meet with the delegation of the Italian Senate’s European Affairs Committee (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square, hall 2)

Full event calendar