site.btaFormer Executive Director of American Jewish Committee Visits Sofia to Present New Book, Meets Bulgarian Officials

The former Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee, David Harris, was in Sofia Thursday and met with Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev and Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev.

David Harris’s visit to Bulgaria coincides with the International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, as well as the presentation of the Bulgarian edition of his book, "On the Front Line: A Lifetime of Global Jewish Advocacy." 

Earrlier in the week, Harris met with President Rumen Radev.

Harris and Georgiev discussed Bulgaria’s efforts and achievements in countering antisemitism, including the adoption of the country's first National Action Plan for Combating Antisemitism (2023-2027) in 2023. It also reviewed Bulgaria’s commitments as a full member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

Bulgaria’s top diplomat also highlighted Mr. David Harris’s efforts to present Bulgaria in the best possible light to the American and international public.

Mayor Terziev and David Harris looked into the interaction with the Jewish community in the context of historical traditions and opportunities for cooperation in priorities such as education, culture and tourism.  The two also discussed manifestations of anti-Semitism, as well as the need to effectively counteract all forms of discrimination and attempts at division in Bulgarian society.

Opportunities for further development of strategic relations between Bulgaria, the United States of America and Israel were also highlighted.

Terziev presented Harris with an official plaque with the coat of arms of Sofia. 

As he met with the former Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee, President Radev praised his contribution to the protection of human rights, the fight against anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination, as well as the development of friendly relations between the Bulgarian and Jewish peoples, and between Bulgaria and the US, said the President's Press Secretariat. He underscored Harris's efforts to popularize the historical act of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people of rescuing the Bulgarian Jews during World War II, and said that Bulgaria is determined to uphold tolerance and mutual respect for different religions and ethnicities. The common position was that Bulgaria deserves worthy recognition on the international stage, both for the moral example of rescuing the Bulgarian Jews during World War II and for its consistent actions in countering xenophobia, discrimination, and anti-Semitism.

The American Jewish Committee is one of the most influential American Jewish organizations, with which Bulgaria maintains traditionally active relations.