Israel Repatriates Herzl's Grandparents' Remains for Historic Burial on Mount Herzl
After more than a century in the Jewish cemetery of Zemun, Serbia, the remains of Shimon and Rivka Herzl, grandparents of Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, were brought to Israel and reburied on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. This extraordinary diplomatic operation took place in August 2026, marking a historic closure to a significant chapter in Jewish history.
The initiative began when the World Zionist Organization's chairman, Yaakov Hagoel, and European representative Matan Bar Noy, alerted Israeli diplomats to prepare for the exhumation and transfer. The Israeli Foreign Ministry, led by diplomat Avivit Bar-Ilan and Israeli Consul Limor Nissim-Siton in Serbia, coordinated closely with the Jewish community in Zemun and Serbian authorities. Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić recognized the event's historic importance and arranged a state farewell ceremony at the airport.
The exhumation was conducted by ZAKA experts, and a solemn ceremony was held at the cemetery, including the recitation of Kaddish and the singing of Israel's national anthem, Hatikvah. The following day, a state ceremony at the airport featured Serbian officials and Jewish community representatives before the remains were flown to Israel on an El Al flight.
Avivit Bar-Ilan expressed gratitude to the Serbian government, emphasizing the deep historical and trusting relationship between the Jewish and Serbian peoples. The town of Zemun holds special significance as the roots of the Herzl family and the birthplace of early Zionist ideas, notably influenced by Rabbi Yehuda Alkalai. Theodor Herzl had requested in his will that his family’s remains be interred in the Jewish homeland, and this repatriation fulfilled that wish, symbolically linking the origins in Zemun to the flourishing state of Israel.
This operation also highlighted the strong bond and solidarity between Serbia and Israel, forged through shared history and mutual support during difficult times. The event closed with a reflection on Herzl’s famous words, "If you will it, it is no dream," underscoring the enduring legacy of Zionism and the Jewish people's return to their land.
