Israeli President Rivlin offers condolences over death of Donskis

“We grieve together with you and all people of Lithuania as the world has lost a remarkable man, a prominent philosopher, a devoted defender of human rights and civil liberties, a true humanitarian and an outstanding political figure, a great person, who always opposed violence in all its forms,” the president said in his letter to Donskienė, a copy of which was shared by the Israeli embassy with BNS.

Rivlin said that as a deputy chairman of the Lithuanian Jewish Community, Donskis “greatly contributed to preserving the country’s Jewish culture and heritage and promoted the highest human values of tolerance, love and respect toward every individual”.

“Professor Donskis was a great friend of Israel, who has never hesitated stand together with our country. He will always remain in hour hearts,” he said.

Donskis, a professor at Vytautas Magnus University, died at Vilnius Airport last Wednesday of a heart attack at the age of 54.

During his career as a scientist, Donskis worked at universities in the United States, Britain, Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Hungary, and wrote more than 40 books over 500 articles.

He focused on human rights issues during his term as a member of the European Parliament in 2009 to 2014.