• 09.02.2026

From Exodus to Mobility: How History Shapes Contemporary Migrations



From Exodus to Mobility: How History Shapes Contemporary Migrations

Prominent Israeli Holocaust historian Prof. Dr. Gideon Greif, from Tel Aviv University and Ono Academic College, held a workshop with members of the research team from the Historical Institute of the University of Montenegro. The session was part of the project "Socio-economic challenges of Montenegrin society in light of mass migrations in the period 2005–2025."

As a scholar who has largely dedicated his research and academic career to studying the Jewish exodus from Europe, the politics of forced migration, and issues of memory, survival, and reconstruction following collective trauma, Prof. Greif introduced the project team to relevant methodological approaches in the study of migratory flows. Special emphasis was placed on the distinction between forced and voluntary migration, as well as the long-term social, economic, and cultural consequences of migratory movements in modern societies.

In this context, Prof. Greif pointed to contemporary migration and mobility patterns between Israel and Montenegro, highlighting that today’s ties between the two nations are no longer characterized by dramatic movements forced by war and persecution. Instead, they are defined by the voluntary mobility of people, ideas, and capital within a framework of stable and normalized diplomatic relations. The Balkans, which in the past often served as a fragile corridor of escape, now functions as a space for peaceful exchange, cooperation, and daily contact.

It was specifically noted that since the restoration of Montenegrin independence and the establishment of full diplomatic relations with the State of Israel, bilateral relations have developed continuously and substantively. Tourism stands out as one of the most visible links between the two societies, with the number of Israeli visitors to Montenegro increasing to over 150,000 annually over the last decade. This mobility has also contributed to the development of a visible Jewish infrastructure, the strengthening of organized Jewish life, and the creation of conditions for the free and open practice of religious and cultural identity.

Workshop participants agreed that contemporary Israeli-Montenegrin relations transcend the scope of tourism and religious life, encompassing investments, economics, and academic and cultural cooperation. Holocaust and migration studies occupy a special place in this dialogue, connecting Balkan and Israeli experiences within a shared research space based on a responsibility toward historical memory and contemporary challenges.

The workshop concluded with the assessment that modern mobility between Israel and Montenegro serves as a powerful example of historical transformation: former routes of escape and vulnerability now connect societies through cooperation, exchange, and life in normalcy. This very shift—from catastrophe to renewal—provides a valuable analytical framework for understanding migration in contemporary Montenegrin society.

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