A monument to Velvet was unveiled at Kapina Polje in Nikšić, as a sign of Israel's gratitude to the former Yugoslavia and Montenegro for friendship and historical unity between nations.
President of Israel Isak Herzog expressed his congratulations to the Jewish community of Montenegro and praised the common spirit symbolized by the Velvet monument.
As reported by the Jewish community, Herzog highlighted the monument as a testimony of heroic efforts during the most vulnerable moments of Israel's struggle for independence, symbolizing the potential heights of human courage and solidarity.
The mayor of Nikšić, Marko Kovačević, emphasized the importance of remembering and respecting previous battles, "which deeply resonate with the history of both nations' resilience and mutual support."
"The story of the Israeli pilots was alive all this time among the people of Nikšić, but it was rarely talked about in public. Thanks to Mr. Vilan, the Jewish community in Montenegro, and the goodwill of all representatives of the municipality of Nikšić and the state of Montenegro, we now have this monument as a permanent testimony about those events. We are proud of our friendship and will preserve this building and the memory of the events for which it was built," said Kovačević.
The president of the Jewish community in Montenegro, Nina Ofner Bokan, spoke about the permanent friendship between the Jewish people and Montenegro.
"As the only country in the world with a minority Jewish population without anti-Semitism, Montenegro welcomes approximately 100.000 Israeli tourists annually. Montenegro's reputation as a safe and hospitable destination for Jewish visitors speaks volumes about the history of our people. That is why the Embassy of Israel in Montenegro, the World the Jewish Congress and the Jewish Community of Montenegro decided to launch this exceptional project. I am sure that this place will be a new tourist spot on the map of Montenegro, and that as such it will be visited by a large number of tourists," said Ofner Bokan.
Ambassador of Israel to Montenegro Jahel Vilan highlighted the simultaneous celebrations of Israel's independence and the unveiling of monuments as deep symbols of the bond between nations. He recalled the historical support of international allies such as Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, which was crucial in Israel's formative years.
The Vice President of the Government of Montenegro, Momo Koprivica, emphasized the role of Montenegro in supporting Israel during key moments in history, emphasizing the common values and lasting friendship between the two nations.
"Today, Montenegro and Israel have excellent and friendly bilateral relations, based on close and stable foundations, in a number of areas of mutual interest. We highly appreciate the level of cooperation established in the fields of economy, investment and tourism. We are also interested in deepening cooperation in those areas where Israel is globally recognizable - green technologies, innovative technologies, agriculture, digitalization, infrastructure, public health. The opening of this monument is a step towards strengthening our relations," said Koprivica.
The initiative for the construction of the monument was submitted in 2022 by the Embassy of Israel, the Jewish Community of Montenegro and the World Jewish Congress. The realization of the project lasted two years. The non-resident embassy of Israel in Montenegro, the Jewish community of Montenegro and the honorary consulate of Montenegro in Israel were responsible for the implementation of the project.
The municipality of Nikšić allocated 1.400 m2 of land for the construction of the monument. The Bemax company built the park, and the plane was built by the Hiron Creative lab company from Nikšić.
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