(November 6, 2023 / JNS) Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov expressed solidarity with Israel during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday.

“We know these are very difficult times and that is why we have to be here. We were all shocked by the terrorist attacks that killed so many innocent people. It is very important that all hostages are released as soon as possible,” said Denkov.

“We want to say that Hamas and its entire military and administrative infrastructure must be eradicated. At the same time, we are concerned about what is happening in the Gaza Strip. We know that you have every right to protect yourself within the framework of international law but it is also important to allow humanitarian aid without it being abused by the people there,” he added.

Netanyahu thanked Denkov for Bulgaria’s solidarity.

“If civilization does not win, barbarism will win. This is what we see in the 21st century. It’s not just our struggle, it’s yours too, and I think you understand that very well,” said Netanyahu.

Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry said on Nov. 4 that all Bulgarians in the Gaza Strip had been repatriated.

On Sunday, Netanyahu said that Israel will not agree to any ceasefire with Hamas unless the terrorist group releases the more than 240 hostages it kidnapped during its Oct. 7 attacks.

“There will be no ceasefire without the return of the hostages. This should be completely removed from the lexicon. We say this to our friends and to our enemies: We will continue until we defeat them. We have no alternative,” said Netanyahu following a tour of Ramon Air Force Base in the Negev Desert.

“Our enemies misjudged us. They thought that on the crucial day, we would not report for duty. We reported together and now we are fighting shoulder-to-shoulder,” added the prime minister, in an apparent reference to the judicial reform controversy.

Netanyahu concluded by telling the air force personnel at the Ramon base, “The entire nation is united and relies on you, appreciates what you are doing and believes in you. We will continue together until victory.”