Following the statement of Israel’s Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs on the suspension of educational trips by Israeli youth to Poland and the cancellation of negotiations on the matter between the two countries, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

1.    Expresses its astonishment that the Israeli side has publicly recounted the course of the talks, which have been held so far in good faith and mutual trust.

2.    Considers that the points made in the statement give a selective account of those discussions and do not allow the public to gain an informed insight into the reasons why no agreement has been reached yet.

3.    Stresses that the intention of the Polish side from the very beginning of the talks has been to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement as soon as possible to ensure that organised groups of Israeli youth:

a)   are provided with security—in accordance with the Polish law and the procedures applied by the State of Israel as regards similar visits to other countries with a level of security comparable to that of Poland;

b)   have the opportunity to learn about the history of the Holocaust and other WWII crimes committed on Polish soil by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, in accordance with the programme prepared by the Israeli Ministry of Education;

c)    have the chance to learn about Poland’s rich history and present, including Polish-Jewish relations, as well as to meet directly with their Polish peers.

4.    Reiterates its willingness to receive educational trips of Israeli youth to Poland in the coming days, as proposed on Friday, with the sole responsibility of the Israeli side to decide on this matter.

5.    Remains ready to continue the talks in good faith and mutual trust and to work further towards strengthening relations between Poland and Israel.

 

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Press Spokesperson