Bulgarian Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov on Friday urged officials and the public to immediately halt the annual Lukov March in Sofia, citing its promotion of explicit antisemitic messages.
The call followed a meeting between Sarafov, Yaakov Hagoel, chairman of the World Zionist Organization, and Gusti Yehoshua Braverman, head of the Department for Israelis Abroad at the organization. Sarafov described the march as a challenge to values of tolerance, mutual respect and equality, warning of its potential to harm Bulgaria’s social fabric and international relations.
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Zionist Federation of Bulgaria Chairman Nikolay Galabov, Bulgarian Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov, World Zionist Organization Chairman Yaakov Hagoel and Gusti Yehoshua Braverman
(Photo: World Zionist Organization)
Sarafov also advocated for Bulgaria to formally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and incorporate it into national law, as part of a global effort to combat hate and Holocaust denial.
“The Lukov March undermines democracy, and its hateful messages have no place in our society,” Sarafov said. He also denounced antisemitic slogans such as “From the river to the sea,” calling for them to be banned, as they question the legitimacy of nations and peoples.
“I call on all responsible authorities in Bulgaria and the international community to act decisively against the spread of hate and to ensure that expressions of racism, antisemitism and incitement are eradicated,” Sarafov said.
Hagoel praised Sarafov’s strong stance: “I commend the Bulgarian prosecutor general for his unequivocal call to stop the spread of hate and antisemitism. I urge nations worldwide to adopt the IHRA definition and enshrine it in law. The World Zionist Organization will continue working with governments and international bodies to safeguard Jewish communities globally.”
Yehoshua Braverman added: “I applaud Sarafov’s firm stand against the Lukov March and his call to end the dissemination of antisemitism and incitement. It is vital to uphold basic values of tolerance, equality and human rights and to reject hatred against Jews unequivocally.”
Meanwhile, thousands of supporters gathered at the Stopera in Amsterdam on Thursday, waving Israeli and Dutch flags, to demonstrate solidarity with the Jewish community and speak out against the alarming surge in antisemitism in the Netherlands.
The rally, organized by Christians for Israel and other pro-Israel organizations, has become a powerful show of unity and resistance against hatred, especially in the wake of the antisemitic attack on Israeli soccer fans by a pro-Palestinian lynch mob earlier this month in the Dutch capital.