From the special reporter "Vijesti"
"In the past, there were a lot of positive decisions in support of Israel from the Government of Montenegro, and that position is not really clear to me," the Honorary Consul of Montenegro in Israel, Nimrod Rinot, told "Vijesti" regarding Montenegro's decision to vote for the United Nations resolution on an urgent humanitarian truce between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
"We have to keep in mind that Montenegro always follows the position of the European Union, which this time was divided and I hope it was a one-time situation," answered Rinat when asked by "Vijesti" about Montenegro's support for the resolution criticized by Israel.
"I can understand the world's desire to stop the violence from all sides, but it is very difficult to understand from afar the situation and why Israel's official position is to eliminate Hamas and it cannot stop now, for the sake of the future of Israeli civilians and the future of the free world and Europe," he said. is Rinat in Tel Aviv.
When reminded that the resolution referred to Palestinian civilians, the honorary consul replied that this is a very important aspect that Israel takes into account.
"Innocent civilians on both sides must be protected, but on the other hand, the safety of Israeli citizens must be ensured after the horrific events of October 7," Rinot said.
On October 27, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and requested aid access to the Gaza Strip and protection of civilians. The resolution was adopted with 120 votes in favor, 45 abstentions and 14, including Israel and the United States, voting against.
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Israel's ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, rejected the resolution, saying the UN no longer had any legitimacy or relevance and accused those who voted "yes" of preferring to support "the defense of Nazi terrorists" instead of Israel.
Since 2009, Nimrod Rinot has served as an honorary consul based in Tel Aviv.
He said that in 2002 he started business in the Balkans and came to Montenegro due to circumstances.
"I started to bring investors and step by step became a bridge between Israel and Montenegro".
Rinot said life in Tel Aviv is slowly returning to normal after the shock of the Oct. 7 attacks, when Hamas extremists killed more than 1.400 people. He said that about 80 Montenegrin citizens were evacuated from Israel. Some of them worked in Israel, and some were tourists.
"In the beginning, no one knew how the situation would unfold and only 19 people wanted to leave. However, within a few days, almost everyone changed their minds," Rinot said.
He added that there are still eight to nine Montenegrins in Israel, most of whom live in the southern city of Eilat and work in hotels. They are in direct contact with the consulate and, as he said, they still have the possibility to ensure their return.
Rinot said that the relations between Montenegro and Israel have been constantly developing in the last ten years and that they will reach their peak in 2022.
"Israel was, if not the first, then the second in terms of foreign investments in Montenegro".
Rinot said that almost 100.000 Israelis visited Montenegro this summer and that for next year, "if the war ends by then", they are planning even more visits and more direct flights.
"Not only because Montenegro is my second home, but it is one of the most attractive tourist destinations for Israelis," said the consul.
He mentioned big projects like Big Fashion, Capital Plaza and City Mall and said that these Israeli companies are building two more centers in Montenegro and that tourism companies are buying hotels.
Pointing out that he believes that Israel is a true ally of Montenegro, Rinot praised the good cooperation with the ministries of tourism, defense, interior affairs...
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