Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov discussed the topic on countering anti-Semitism with the Chairman of the World Zionist Organization Yaakov Hagoel

29 November 2024

Today, 29 November 2024, Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov held a working meeting at the Palace of Justice in Sofia with Yaakov Hagoel - Chairman of the World Zionist Organization and Gusti Yehoshua Braverman - Head of the Department for Organization and Connection with Israelis Abroad at the World Zionist Organization. Both of them are in Bulgaria at the invitation of Nikolay Galabov, Head of the Zionist Federation of Bulgaria. Elena Karakasheva, Deputy Prosecutor General, and Vanya Stefanova, Head "Specialized" Department at the Supreme Prosecutor's Office participated in the talks as part of the Prosecution.

The representatives of the leadership of the World Zionist Organization highly appreciated the proactive role and consistent efforts of the Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office in combating hate crimes. The Prosecutor General confirmed the institution's commitment to zero tolerance towards manifestations of anti-Semitism, intolerance and incitement of division. He assured that the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Bulgaria will continue to work actively to counteract radicalization and xenophobia and to prevent anti-democratic manifestations among society. The need to criminalize all manifestations of anti-Semitism and hate speech was discussed as well as a legal ban on holding events such as "Lukovmarsh" which are incompatible with the principles of the democratic world. Representatives of the World Zionist Organization emphasized the role of the Prosecutor's Office and particularly the role of Borislav Sarafov, in his capacity as Acting Prosecutor General  and before that, as Deputy Prosecutor General, in the measures taken by the Bulgarian authorities to prevent the "Lukovmarch" from taking place in recent years.

During the meeting, appreciation was expressed for the fact that Borislav Sarafov was among the first Heads of Prosecutors' offices of member states of the European Union to visit the State of Israel after the attacks of 7 October 2023, expressing empathy for the victims of terrorism and support for the Israeli people.