The Hamas-Israel conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in the loss of numerous civilian lives, adding new dimensions to the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.
As these developments continue to hold their place in the global agenda, some states have issued condemnatory statements in a neutral manner, while others have expressed their support for either Israel or Palestine. In this context, the perspectives of certain Balkan countries on the matter have also become noteworthy, with Bosnia and Herzegovina being particularly striking.
Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of two distinct entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska. Accordingly, two different statements have emerged from this state. The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina primarily represents the approach of the Bosniaks and Croats to the situation, whereas the Republika Srpska presents the viewpoint of the Serbs. In a country where disagreements and divisions already exist on many issues, such a situation is not surprising.
Amidst these circumstances, the Bosnian Presidency Council, which represents both entities, has seen differing statements from the Bosniak and Croat side compared to the Republika Srpska.[1]
Bosniak member of the Presidency Council, Denis Becirovic, referred to the conflicts between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing the importance of peace and condemning all acts of terrorism. [2] On the other hand, Croat member Zeljko Komsic, like Becirovic, maintained his neutrality in his statement, describing the ongoing events as harbingers of more significant developments and deploring the harm to civilians. [3] A statement from the Bosnian Ministry of Foreign Affairs similarly condemns the events while highlighting the importance of protecting civilians and maintaining neutrality. [4]
A noteworthy point here is the difference in political stances between Bosniaks and Croats. In this context, one of the first individuals to make a statement about the situation was the Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Borjana Kristo, a member of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HDZ BiH) party, denounced the attack by Hamas as unjust but also condemned it, expressing their unequivocal support for Israel. Kristo’s statement has faced criticism from some quarters for not mentioning Palestinians, seen as a self-centered move. [5]
In the statement from the Republika Srpska, the leader of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, expressed the need to defeat terrorism and strongly condemned the terrorist attacks on Israel. Notably, Dodik’s statement underlines the shared “common fate” of Israel and the Serbian people. During this period, the Israeli flag was projected onto the Republika Srpska Palace. [6]
From this point, it is essential to recognize that the deep-seated divisions and separatist policies in the Balkans are a well-known phenomenon. These divisions are intensifying, particularly in light of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The inability to reach even a minimal agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina concerning these crises is evident. The failure to establish a common approach in foreign policy that would reflect the country’s unified stance is noteworthy.
In this context, while it is possible to evaluate the events in the Middle East within the changing global dynamics, despite being a region distant from the Balkans, it can be said that these events will potentially impact the frozen conflicts in the Balkans in the future. Bosnia and Herzegovina, where division is observed even in simple condemnation statements, is among the places hosting these frozen conflicts. Consequently, it can be argued that the political disputes in the country are being exploited in light of the events in the Middle East.
[1] “I Izrael posvađao BiH: Jedni Hamas vide kao očajne ljude, drugi ističu patnju Izraelaca i Srba”, N1 Info, https://n1info.hr/vijesti/i-izrael-posvadao-bih-jedni-hamas-vide-kao-ocajne-ljude-drugi-isticu-patnju-izraelaca-i-srba/, (Erişim Tarihi: 11.10.2023).
[2] “Bećirović se oglasio o ratu u Izraelu, pozvao na mir”, Vijesti, https://www.vijesti.ba/clanak/615021/becirovic-se-oglasio-o-ratu-u-izraelu-pozvao-na-mir, (Erişim Tarihi: 11.10.2023).
[3] “Komšić: Izrael će surovo odgovoriti i najveću cijenu će platiti narod u Gazi”, N1 Info, https://n1info.ba/vijesti/komsic-izrael-ce-surovo-odgovoriti-i-najvecu-cijenu-ce-platiti-narod-u-gazi/, (Erişim Tarihi: 11.10.2023).
[4] “I Izrael posvađao BiH: Jedni Hamas vide kao očajne ljude, drugi ističu patnju Izraelaca i Srba”, N1 Info, a.g.e., (Erişim Tarihi: 11.10.2023).
[5] Aynı yer.
[6] “Palata RS u bojama zastave Izraela, poruku podrške poslao i Dodik”, N1 Info, https://n1info.ba/vijesti/palata-rs-u-bojama-zastave-izraela-poruku-podrske-poslao-i-dodik/, (Erişim Tarihi: 11.10.2023).
