Israel’s Chamber of Commerce has opened a new office in Banja Luka, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Serb-led entity, Republika Srpska, to strengthen economic and political ties. The opening was attended by former Republika Srpska president and de facto leader Milorad Dodik, who has repeatedly expressed support for Israel since the Gaza war began.
The timing is striking. Just days earlier, thousands gathered in Banja Luka to honour Ratko Mladić, the Bosnian Serb military commander who was convicted of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity and died in prison in August. On 1 September, crowds marched through the city carrying flags and banners depicting Mladić and hailing him as a hero.
At the trade-office opening, Dodik invoked what he described as the shared historical suffering of Serbs and Jews, while Israeli ambassador Galit Peleg said the office would promote investment and business cooperation. Republika Srpska also says it plans to establish a programme supporting new Israeli technologies and has suggested that significant Israeli investment could follow.
The growing relationship has raised concerns in Sarajevo. Analysts cited by Al Jazeera said closer Republika Srpska–Israel and Serbia–Israel cooperation, particularly in the military sphere, could contribute to political tensions within Bosnia and Herzegovina. They also warned that agreements pursued by Republika Srpska without coordination with Sarajevo could create problems for Bosnia’s EU integration.
