On the Event at the Knesset Dedicated to the 40th Anniversary of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Disaster

On May 26, 2026, the Knesset of the State of Israel hosted a commemorative thematic event dedicated to the 40th Anniversary of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster.

The initiative to hold the event was proposed earlier this year by the Embassy of Belarus in Israel. The Belarusian initiative received support from the parliamentary faction of the “Yisrael Beiteinu” party headed by Avigdor Lieberman, as well as from the leadership of the Knesset. Personal involvement in implementing the initiative was taken by Knesset Vice Speaker Evgeny Sova and the leadership of the All-Israeli Union of Liquidators and Victims of the Chernobyl Disaster.

Israel occupies a leading position among non-CIS countries in terms of the number of liquidators and victims of the Chernobyl disaster residing in the country — immigrants from former Soviet republics, including Belarus. Israel is home to a dedicated Union of Liquidators and Victims of the Chernobyl Disaster, uniting around two thousand members.

During the event, which lasted more than two hours, excerpts were screened from the documentary film “Chernobyl. Living Land,” produced by the National Film Studio “Belarusfilm.” The film is devoted to the fate of the affected regions of Belarus and the state’s efforts to overcome the consequences of the catastrophe. On the sidelines of the event, a thematic photo exhibition prepared by the Department for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of the Belarusian Ministry of Emergency Situations was also presented.

Ambassador of Belarus to Israel Yuri Yaroshevich addressed the participants. In his speech, he emphasized that Belarus suffered the gravest consequences of the Chernobyl disaster and that the scale of the tragedy affected millions of people. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Belarus effectively assumed the burden of dealing with the aftermath of the catastrophe largely on its own.

The Ambassador noted that for decades the Belarusian state has systematically allocated significant resources to social support programs, medical assistance, rehabilitation of victims, and restoration of contaminated territories. According to the head of the diplomatic mission, the Chernobyl tragedy became a severe lesson for all humanity, while Belarus’s accumulated experience in nuclear safety and overcoming the consequences of radiation accidents remains highly relevant today.

It was also emphasized that modern nuclear energy is developing at a qualitatively new level of safety, while the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant represents an important element of the country’s energy independence and technological development.

Y. Yaroshevich also drew attention to the symbolic nature of the event's date, reminding participants that diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the State of Israel were established precisely on May 26, 1992. According to him, this gives additional significance to cooperation between the two countries in preserving historical memory, humanitarian interaction, and strengthening peace.

As part of the ceremony, the Ambassador presented Vadim Hasdan, Chairman of the All-Israeli Union of Liquidators and Victims of the Chernobyl Disaster and a native of Gomel, with a commemorative medal from the Department in recognition of his many years of contribution to preserving the memory of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the tragedy.

Belarusian Minister of Energy Denis Moroz addressed the participants via video message. He emphasized the importance of preserving the memory of the heroism of the liquidators and the need to do everything possible to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The event brought together a broad range of participants and guests. Among those present were members of the Knesset, representatives of the Nativ Liaison Bureau of the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, radiation safety specialists, IAEA consultants, senior diplomats from the Russian Embassy, liquidators of the Chernobyl disaster, journalists, and public and cultural figures.

The commemorative ceremony concluded with a requiem concert. The musical program was performed by renowned pop violin virtuoso Sanya Kroitor.

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