The meeting highlighted the historical ties between Israel and Bulgaria
Ambassador Yossi Levi Sfari met with His Holiness Daniil, the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia.
He congratulated the Patriarch on his appointment and expressed hope for continued cooperation.
A key topic of discussion was the role of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in saving Bulgarian Jews during World War II. Ambassador Sfari expressed deep gratitude to the Church and its leaders, including Metropolitan Kiril and Exarch Stefan, for their unwavering determination in protecting Bulgarian Jews from deportation to the death camps.
The two also discussed the situation in the Middle East, Israel's demands for the release of hostages, and the conditions of Christian communities in the region. Ambassador Sfari noted that the Christian population in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan has declined. The same trend is observed in the Palestinian territories. In Gaza, the number of Christians has dropped from about 5,000 before 2007 (before Hamas took control) to approximately 1,000 as of October 2023. Similarly, the Christian population of Bethlehem has decreased from 86% in 1950 to around 10% in 2017.
In contrast, the Christian community in Israel continues to grow and currently numbers approximately 187,900 people (1.9% of the population). Christians in Israel enjoy full freedom of religion, and their rights are protected. Israel takes pride in its religious diversity and commitment to coexistence.
The meeting highlighted the historical ties between Israel and Bulgaria, as well as the importance of interfaith dialogue in the modern world.