Throughout the conflict between Israel and Gaza, Serbia has aimed to steer clear of political entanglements, opting for a neutral stance to maintain diplomatic ties.

Serbia, with connections to both Israel and Palestine, has tried to avoid being seen as favouring one side over the other on the global stage, according to analysts.

However, to grasp Serbia’s perspective on the Israel-Palestine issue, one must look into its 20th-century history.

Both Serbs and Jewish Israelis share the painful legacy of the Holocaust. Moreover, Belgrade’s association with the Palestinians and Arab nations stems from Yugoslavia’s involvement in the Non-Alignment Movement.

In 1967, Yugoslavia stood in solidarity with Egypt and Syria by cutting diplomatic ties with Israel, a stance maintained until Yugoslavia’s dissolution.

Since the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, Serbia has prided itself on maintaining friendly relations with both Israel and Palestine.

The Current Problem
Despite this, Belgrade has consistently supported Palestine in UN votes and advocated for a two-state solution.

While Serbia’s historical ties lean towards Palestine, its relations with Israel have strengthened over recent years, including in times of conflict.

Serbia Providing Weapons To Israel?

Reports indicate that Serbia’s state-owned arms trader, Yugoimport-SDPR, exported weapons worth €14 million ($15.2 million) to Israel last month, as per customs data.

Additionally, investigations reveal that Serbia has made significant arms shipments to Israel since the October 2023 Hamas attack, despite efforts to keep these deals under wraps.

Israel began its latest and deadliest onslaught of Gaza after October 7, when Hamas, the Palestinian group that governs the densely populated strip, attacked southern Israel, killing 1,139 people and taking more than 200 Israelis captive.

Some captives have since been freed, others have died, and dozens remain held. In Gaza, more than 33,000 people have been killed by Israel, among them almost 14,000 children.

In recent weeks, world leaders have sharply criticised Israel’s military conduct as the civilian death toll rises while its stated aim of crushing Hamas remains elusive.

Igor Novakovic, research director of the International and Security Affairs Centre, suggests that these shipments likely stem from “prior” agreements.

History Of Selling Weapons To Israel
Serbia has a historical track record of arms sales to Israel.

During the period from 2004 to 2007, Belgrade emerged as a significant arms supplier to Israel, ranking second only to Washington in this regard.

Lily Lynch, a foreign affairs writer specialising in the Western Balkans, regarded the recent BIRN report on Serbia’s arms exports to Israel as unsurprising.

According to Lynch, this revelation underscores Belgrade’s apparent lack of firm principles, values, or ideology, coupled with a readiness to engage in arms trade without moral scrutiny.

Lynch further elaborated her perspective in an interview, suggesting that Serbia’s arms sales, not only to Israel but also to Ukraine, serve as a subtle yet influential message to key figures in Washington.

The message conveys Serbia’s perceived importance as a strategic partner in the Balkans, contrasting with neighbouring countries that may offer vocal support but lack tangible contributions.

The implicit assertion is that Serbia stands as a reliable ally willing to act decisively.

Bridging Ties
In 2020, tensions arose in Serbia’s relationship with Israel.

The period coincided with efforts by the administration of then-President Donald Trump to normalise relations between Serbia and Kosovo.

Simultaneously, pressure mounted on Serbia to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and acknowledge Kosovo’s independence, in line with Israeli preferences.

Belgrade staunchly opposed Israeli recognition of Kosovo, fearing it would result in the relocation of its embassy.

When Israel eventually recognised Kosovo’s independence, Belgrade downgraded its diplomatic ties with Israel in protest.

However, in the subsequent year, Serbia and Israel embarked on a process of reconciliation. Despite the earlier rift, efforts were made to repair the strained relationship between the two countries.

In July 2023, Eli Cohen, Israel’s Foreign Minister, made a historic visit to Belgrade, marking the first time in 14 years that a chief diplomat from Tel Aviv had visited the Serbian capital.

During his visit, Cohen emphasised that Israel’s relationship with Serbia was “back on track,” hailing Serbia as Israel’s “closest ally” in the Balkans.

Lily Lynch elaborated on Serbia’s approach since October 2023, highlighting its consistent efforts to restore friendly relations with Israel.

She noted that Serbia’s foreign policy towards Israel has been characterised by a friendly disposition but also a degree of restraint.

Compared to many Western countries, Belgrade has maintained a more subdued stance regarding its support for Israel.

The efforts of Serbia to downplay its positive relationship with Israel amid the Gaza conflict reflect a broader strategy aimed at preserving friendly ties with the “global south.”

Lynch suggests that Belgrade sees this region as crucial, as many countries there still refuse to recognise Kosovo’s independence.

In the Balkans, Serbia and neighbouring countries remain cognizant of the potential security and geopolitical implications stemming from the conflict in Gaza.

Vuk Vuksanovic, a senior researcher at the Belgrade Center for Security Policy, highlights various vulnerabilities that could arise.

These include concerns about the radicalisation of Muslim communities in Southeastern Europe, the spill-over of tensions from the Middle East into the region, and the possibility of triggering another refugee crisis.

Vuksanovic also raises concerns about potential security threats during events involving Israeli teams.

He notes that two Israeli football clubs had plans for European games in Serbia, which were ultimately canceled, likely due to security considerations.

The future of Serbia’s relationship with Israel hinges on pragmatic considerations rather than ideological convictions, particularly under the leadership of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Vucic’s approach has been characterised by opportunism, as seen in his efforts to bolster Serbia’s ties with the United States through engagement with Israel.

Vuksanovic suggests that Serbia seeks Israeli support in Washington, viewing it as a means to strengthen its partnership with the US, especially under a potential new Trump administration.

The outcome of the US presidential election holds significance for the trajectory of Serbia-Israel relations. Should Trump secure another term, ties between Belgrade and Tel Aviv could see a further strengthening.

Lily Lynch adds perspective, suggesting that any deepening of Serbia-Israel relations in the future may be linked to anticipation of a new Trump administration and the growing alignment among global populist right-wing governments, such as Viktor Orban’s Hungary, which shares close ties with Serbia.

Spain’s Sanchez Says ‘Disproportionate’ Israeli Gaza Attacks A World Threat

Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has characterised Israel’s actions in Gaza as a “disproportionate response,” warning that it poses a regional and global threat.

He asserts that the recognition of a Palestinian state aligns with Europe’s geopolitical interests.

Speaking before members of parliament, Sanchez emphasised the necessity for the international community to recognise the existence of the Palestinian state.

He deemed such recognition as just and reflective of the demands of the social majority.

Sanchez has been a proponent of the European Union recognising Palestine, a stance that has faced resistance from the Israeli government and its allies.

In a joint statement with counterparts from Ireland, Malta, and Slovenia, Sanchez expressed readiness to recognise Palestine if it contributes to resolving the prolonged conflict in Gaza, where Israeli attacks have resulted in significant casualties.

According to Spanish government spokeswoman Pilar Alegria, Sanchez plans to discuss the issue with several other leaders, including those from Norway and Portugal, in upcoming meetings.

During recent visits to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, Sanchez hinted at Spain’s potential recognition of Palestine by the end of June.
He stressed the importance of the international community recognising Palestine’s full membership in the UN system.

In an interview during his visit to Qatar, Sanchez reiterated Spain’s readiness to support and recognise the State of Palestine, emphasising the need for a new approach to address longstanding issues.

Last week, the Palestinian Authority formally requested renewed consideration by the United Nations Security Council of its 2011 application for full membership.

The PA is currently a non-member observer state at the UN, with the same status as the Vatican. The council is expected to make a decision this month.

The United States, a veto-wielding member of the Security Council and a staunch ally of Israel, said establishing an independent Palestinian state should happen through direct negotiations between the parties and not at the UN.

Sanchez has also been a vocal advocate for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged territory and the release of the captives seized by Hamas and other armed groups during their October 7 attacks inside Israel, which killed 1,139 people, according to a tally based on Israeli statistics.

Speaking on Wednesday, Sanchez said Israel’s “absolutely disproportionate response” to the Hamas-led assault had “overturned decades of humanitarian law and threatened to destabilise the Middle East and, as a consequence, the whole world”.

Separately, Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said on Tuesday that the country will move to recognise a Palestinian state in the coming weeks.
Delaying recognition “is not credible or tenable any longer”, he said.