The Adjarabet Arena Stadium in Georgia’s Black Sea city of Batumi was on Monday illuminated with the national colours of Israel to show solidarity with the country following attacks on Israeli territory by Hamas over the last few days.
The hilltop TV tower overlooking Georgia’s capital Tbilisi on Sunday was also illuminated with the national colours of Israel, with Tbilisi City Hall condemning the “brutal violence” on civilians and extending its condolences to the families of the deceased and the wider public.
The Embassy of Israel in Georgia responded to the symbolic moves, thanking the cities and the country for the support.
Photo: 1tv.ge
In honour of the memory of those killed in Israel, both Georgian residents and Israeli nationals visiting the country offered condolences and brought flowers to the Great Synagogue in Tbilisi.
I am from Israel, I live in northern Israel. I want to pay tribute to those who died fighting against our enemy. Israel is a peaceful country. We want to return to our homeland soon in order to be close to our people and support them in such a difficult moment", one of the citizens of Israel said in his comments to the Georgian Public Broadcaster.
Starting on Saturday, Hamas launched more than 5,000 rockets from Gaza into Israel territory, with the group’s fighters entering Israeli territories and kidnapping citizens, both alive and dead. The Israeli Government declared a state of war alert.
Georgian officials, including the country’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, President Salome Zourabichvili and Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, condemned the attacks on Saturday.