Leibovich: Herzog's visit to Serbia an indicator that relations between the two countries can strengthen

The upcoming visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Serbia is a clear indication of the development of relations between the two countries, and the potential for cooperation is enormous — in tourism, economy, investments, education, and the list goes on, says Avital Leibovichh, Director of the Jerusalem office of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and an expert in diplomacy and geopolitical strategy.

Leibovichh, who was on a working visit to Belgrade this week, said in an interview for Kosovo Online that she sees Serbia as a key player in the Balkans, and views the integration of this region into the European Union as a win-win situation for all parties. Regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas, she does not rule out the possibility of regional escalation, though she emphasizes that Israel does not seek such a scenario.

How important is the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Serbia for the relations between Israel and Serbia, and does it also send a particular message at this moment?

The very fact that President Herzog, during a time of war, chose to travel from Israel to Serbia is a clear indication of the importance Israel places on Serbia and on relations between Israel and Serbia. The visit is also a clear indicator of the development of these relations, and I expect that after this visit, there may be reciprocal visits from Serbia to Israel, which would further strengthen the ties between the two countries.

Has Israel's recognition of Kosovo affected the relations between the two countries, and to what extent?

Yes, I think Israel’s recognition of Kosovo, mediated by the United States four years ago, did affect relations. However, I don’t want to dwell on the past. This has already happened, and I believe we should move forward in our relations and mutual understanding. This issue is in the background, but the potential for Israel-Serbia relations is enormous. The question is whether both countries want to seize and maximize this potential. I believe Herzog's visit is a clear indicator of this direction.

In which areas are there opportunities for cooperation?

Despite the war in Israel, the plane I arrived on was packed. Not a single seat was empty, which means Israelis see Serbia as a destination for visits and business. I see great potential for cooperation in tourism, the economy, investments, high technology, agriculture, water technology, and education. The list is endless. I also want to highlight that there is a Jewish community here, which obviously has roots and strong ties with the Jewish community in Israel. This is very important for us as a country.

How do you see the relations between Serbia and the USA? Has it been shown that they can improve?

The U.S. State Department defines the relations between Serbia and America as strategic. When the State Department defines relations as strategic, it doesn’t apply to every country with which the U.S. has relations. From this, I can understand the significance the U.S. sees in maximizing relations between the two countries. Also, Serbia is a key player here in the Balkans and could play a stabilizing role in the region. So, I definitely see the importance the U.S. attaches to Serbia.

Based on my extensive military experience, I would say that situations can escalate very quickly, sometimes without warning. In 2006, for instance, Hezbollah kidnapped three Israeli reservists who were traveling in a vehicle on the Israeli border early in the morning. Before we knew it, the situation worsened within hours, leading to a 34-day war with Hezbollah. Nobody wanted it, and nobody expected it.

So, unfortunately, yes, based on my experience, escalation can occur, which is why partnerships with the U.S., Israel, and NATO are of key importance. However, there’s a significant difference between what Israel is currently facing—seven different fronts—and the tensions in the Balkans. In Israel’s case, there's a single orchestrator behind these fronts: Iran. Iran finances Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad, funnels money into the West Bank to recruit more people, and works with the Houthis to attack Israel.

Therefore, while tensions in the Balkans could potentially escalate, the dynamics are different. As for NATO, I see similarities between Israel and Serbia. Neither of us is a NATO member, but both Israel and Serbia are NATO partners, meaning there is cooperation at a certain level.

How would you assess the human rights situation for Serbs in Kosovo, considering that the authorities in Pristina have cut them off from the income they receive from the Serbian budget without providing a functional alternative, that their right to use their native Serbian language is being denied, and that Serbian churches and monasteries are exposed to provocations or even physical threats?

We, as Jews, have historically been persecuted in many countries around the world. We know how important it is to feel free, to practice your religion, and to learn from books in your own language. This is something we will support one hundred percent.

"The European Union is not complete without the countries of the Western Balkans" is a phrase we have been hearing for years from officials of EU member states. Do you think the EU will genuinely open its doors to the Western Balkan countries, and is this more in the interest of the EU or the countries of this region?

The greatest advantage you have in the Balkans is to move forward together, with several countries acting as a bloc. We increasingly see that when countries act together as a bloc, their chances of gaining more attention and visibility are higher. I hope the Balkans will become part of the European Union one day, sooner rather than later. From my perspective, the geographical position of the Balkans is of enormous importance, so I one hundred percent see added value for the EU.

From the EU’s perspective, the fact is that there is already a strong coalition of many countries—there are currently 27, but let's say there will be a few more—that could only contribute to the situation. From the Balkan perspective, EU membership will open new opportunities for travel, education, and the economy, providing better possibilities. I know that one of the challenges the entire Balkan region suffers from is negative migration, as people move to other countries. States are struggling to retain their people, especially the younger generation, who sometimes seek better or different opportunities elsewhere. EU membership could be a "game changer." So, I see a win-win situation. I know the process is long, as I have been following it for many years, and I hope there will be progress sooner rather than later.

There is a possibility of regional escalation, although Israel has no desire to escalate the situation. Israel’s primary goal is to defend its people. Currently, 60,000 people have left their homes near Israel's northern border with Lebanon and Syria due to the rocket threat from Hezbollah, which has fired more than 8,000 rockets since the beginning of the conflict. In the south, near Gaza, a similar number—around 63,000—have been displaced since the events of October 7. Stability has not yet returned.

The goal is to ensure that Hamas no longer controls Gaza, has no military capabilities, and poses no threat to Israel, as well as to secure the release of hostages. There are still 101 hostages in Gaza, the youngest being just one year old and the oldest an 86-year-old man. Israel aims to restore normalcy and stability, but until there is complete control of the situation, the war will unfortunately continue.

The initial conflict could escalate if Iran decides to intervene, as Iran controls various proxies around Israel, which could be ordered to engage in heavy fighting, creating a completely different scenario. However, Israel has the support of the United States, which has stationed many ships in the Red Sea and the region, and has publicly voiced its support for Israel. I would also like to mention Serbia, which has expressed solidarity with Israel and support after October 7, and thank the Serbian people and government for standing with Israel during one of its most difficult moments.