Israel’s ambassador to Poland, Yaakov Livna, will be summoned to the Polish Foreign Ministry for clarification after it was claimed yesterday (Friday) that in his public appearances he “misleads the public opinion” regarding the reasons why the delegations to Poland were canceled, as Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski says in a tweet.
“I regret that Ambassador Yaakov Livna decided to communicate with the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the media and in public appearances – and in addition, he is misleading the public as to the reasons why the delegations are not taking place, and to explain the situation, he will be summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday,” Jablonski wrote yesterday.
The summons comes after last Thursday Ambassador Livna participated in a ceremony commemorating the 79th anniversary of the uprising of the prisoners in the Sobibor extermination camp, and said that Sobibor was a destination for groups from Israel to visit, but “unfortunately, today it is impossible due to decisions made at the Polish Foreign Ministry.” The ambassador added that the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not understood in Israel, and that the matter must be resolved.
For several months, student delegations have not been going to Poland because of differences of opinion between the countries regarding their security. Deputy Minister Yablonsky wrote in a tweet: “We are ready to receive groups from tomorrow as well. The security rules should be the same as in other countries, that is, without armed protection. It is up to the Israeli side to decide whether to take advantage of this offer or not. We are ready.”