Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A solemn event dedicated to the Community of Bukharian Jews and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Israel was held in the Israeli parliament - the Knesset, Dunyo news agency reported.

The event was organized by the World Congress of Bukharian Jews, headed by its president Lev Leviev. Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana, members of parliament, members of the government and prominent public figures of Israel, as well as representatives of Bukharian Jewish communities in foreign countries took part in it.

The participants’ speeches noted the historical role of the Bukharian Jewish community in the development of the State of Israel, in particular in the preservation and dissemination of the cultural heritage of the Jewish people.

Particular attention was paid to a significant date in the history of bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Israel - the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The Israeli side expressed the words of high respect and sincere gratitude for the hospitality and cordiality, the valiant assistance of the Uzbek people to Jewish families for many centuries of interaction and peaceful coexistence on the territory of modern Uzbekistan.

Representatives of the Bukharian Jewish community from Uzbekistan took part in the work of the 23rd Congress of the World Congress of Bukharian Jews, held on 23 February 2023, at the invitation of the Congress. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, in his welcoming speech as a guest of honor, stressed that Israel attaches great importance to bilateral relations with one of the most friendly countries - Uzbekistan. He expressed special gratitude to Uzbekistan for the respectful and cordial attitude towards the Jewish people, the generosity and assistance rendered to Jewish families during the Second World War. According to him, an important mission is to bring this noble example of the Uzbek people to the international community.

The World Congress of Bukharian Jews was established in 2000. Among the main areas of activity of the congress is assistance in the preservation and dissemination of the traditions and cultural and historical heritage of the Bukharian Jews, support for the activities of the community’s synagogues, and the provision of targeted social assistance.

At present, according to various estimates, about 250-300 thousand Bukharian Jews live in the world, of which 200 thousand live in Israel, and 70 thousand in the USA.

Photo by Nissim. Courtesy of the World Congress of Bukharian Jews.