AFnews
On the evening of Tuesday, May 6, I was thrilled to attend an exceptional event at the Bucharest National Opera to mark the 77th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel.
At the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Lior Ben Dor, Ambassador of Israel to Romania, Mrs. Tova Ben Nun-Cherbis, President of the Laude-Reut Educational Complex, and Mr. Călin Coșar, President of the Romania-Israel Chamber of Commerce, I was there, together with the guests who turned the hall into one single heart, on Israel’s Independence Day.
Master of Ceremonies: Mr. Rami Teplitskiy, Deputy Ambassador of Israel to Bucharest, who, in a warm welcome, opened the ceremony by inviting His Excellency Lior Ben Dor, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Bucharest, to begin with.
His Excellency evoked the astral moment in which the dream of realizing the State of Israel was realized thanks to the two providential personalities of modern Zionism, Theodor Herzl and David Ben Gurion, and to the struggle and perseverance of an undaunted people. Recalling the brilliant achievements of the Israeli people, the ambassador evoked the tragedy of the 59 hostages still held in the Gaza tunnels.
“We are particularly moved to have with us today Doron Steinbrecher who survived captivity in Gaza. While Doron is recovering from what he has suffered, we are fighting for the freedom of the hostages who are still being held captive in the dark tunnels of Gaza under inhumane conditions. Doron embodies the invincible spirit of the Israeli people.” The Ambassador of Israel evoked the close friendship with the Romanian people, thanking Romania for its support to the Israeli people in these difficult circumstances.
The meeting with Doron Steinbrecher, the young Israeli of Romanian origin kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023 and released in January 2025, was particularly moving. Doron was accompanied by her mother Simona and her aunt, both from Romania (Focșani). Doron was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023 and was held hostage, in conditions difficult to describe, for 471 days. She has dual citizenship, Israeli and Romanian, and was freed including through the interventions of the Romanian state after her mother, Simona, came to Bucharest last year to ask for support from the authorities of the country where she was born. Doron was invited to the event organized by the Israeli Embassy and the Laude-Reut Educational Complex at the Bucharest National Opera on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of Israel’s declaration of independence and thanked Romania on the Romanian Opera stage for the help given for her release.
Tova Ben Nun Cherbis, head of the Laude-Reut Educational Complex and co-organizer of the event, said in her speech:
“The relationship between Israel and Romania is a special one, with deep roots in history and a path marked by friendship and mutual support. Romania has always stood by Israel’s side and is still doing so. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your support!
It gives me great pleasure and honor to address you from the heart of Bucharest, on this evening of celebration and gratitude, as we celebrate 77 years since the proclamation of the independence of the State of Israel – a moment that changed forever the history of the Jewish people, the fulfillment of a dream thousands of years old, made a reality by the vision of Theodor Herzl and the courage of David Ben-Gurion – the first Prime Minister of Israel. Theodor Herzl, the founding father of modern Zionism, who dreamed of the rebirth of a nation in the land of our ancestors, said: “If you will it, it is not a dream. Zionism is an infinite ideal” – an ideal that inspires us every day in our mission to build and maintain a strong and prosperous state.
But today, as we celebrate life and victory, our hearts are full of suffering. Another 59 brothers and sisters are being held hostage by Hamas, deprived of freedom and dignity. We cannot forget. We will not remain silent. We call on the whole world to unite and demand their unconditional release, today, now! The right to life and liberty is universal and cannot be postponed.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has paid a painful price – in lives, in wounds, in pain.
In the midst of this fight for life, one young woman has become a symbol of hope: Doron Steinbrecher, who is here with us today. Dear Doron, after 471 terrible days of captivity, you have returned home – to your family, to your people, to the heart of a nation that waited for you every day. Your words upon release – “I am ok. It will take time, but I am here because of you” – moved millions of hearts. Today, before us, you represent the power of the Israeli spirit, the symbol of the victory of the human spirit. Doron, your presence here moves and inspires us.
We look forward, as Herzl, Ben-Gurion and all our great forefathers taught us: with hope and with faith that the dream of Israel is still in full swing.
In closing, from the stage of the National Opera, we send thoughts of hope to those who are still in captivity, that they will now return home.
We wish good health and speedy recovery to the wounded and our hearts go out to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic war.
We will continue to protect, to dream, to stand united and to build together a good future for all humanity. Thank you for standing with us today. Happy Birthday Israel! Happy Birthday, Romania! Am Israel Chai!”
Minister Alexandru Rafila spoke on behalf of the Romanian Government, delivering a heartfelt message on this occasion.
Laude-Reut’s student choir (35 children) performed “Noladeti LaShalom” – I was born for peace and “Haleluia” with freshness and candor.
The Israeli actress and singer Galit Giat performed a program of beautiful songs by Leonard Cohen as well as Sledging with the Sleigh, which was applauded by the audience.
“Who said all is lost?/I come to give my heart.” -A song of love for some, a longing for Jerusalem for others. A song of loyalty to our homeland.”
The National Opera Orchestra conducted by maestro Daniel Jinga performed Béla Bartók’s Suite of Seven Romanian Dances and violinist Radu Dunca played the vibrant chords of Ciprian Porumbescu’s Ballade.
Israel-Romania, one heart. AM ISRAEL CHAI!
Irina AIRINEI, PhD
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