Rising Hostility Toward Israel Concerns Jewish Community in Montenegro

The small Jewish community in Montenegro is reporting a rise in hostility toward Israel and an increase in antisemitism since October 7. Rabbi Ari Edelkopf, head of the Religious Jewish Community of Montenegro, stated that his office now employs a lawyer to monitor local news portals and that the community has implemented 24 hour security. These concerns follow a series of incidents involving Israeli visitors in the country of 625,000 people.

In the beach resort of Budva, a violent brawl occurred after midnight on July 12 involving approximately 20 Israeli tourists and local Montenegrins. While the exact provocation remains unclear, Rabbi Edelkopf believes a personal altercation escalated once the locals discovered the tourists were Israeli. An alert from the Israeli government stated that the attackers shouted pro Palestinian and anti Israel slogans. The assault reportedly involved the use of metal chairs, tables, and cigarettes, resulting in several injuries including one broken jaw. The Israeli government assisted the tourists in leaving the country, though one remained hospitalized. The Israeli ministry's alert further alleged that police failed to intervene, and Rabbi Edelkopf noted that the Montenegrin government has not yet provided an official response.

These tensions contrast with long standing ties between the two nations. In 2024, a monument was unveiled in Nikšić to commemorate Operation Velvetta, a 1948 secret mission that ferried 17 Spitfire aircraft through Yugoslavia to Israel. Despite current frictions, Montenegro remains a top destination for Israeli tourists, and the capital is nearing the completion of a new Jewish cultural center.