Polish President Andrzej Duda has expressed optimism over the newly-renewed friendship between Poland and Israel following the arrival of the Israeli President in Warsaw. Duda said that the visit serves as a strong symbol of the two countries’ commitment to strengthening their relationship.
Tensions between Poland and Israel have been mounting in recent months, due to disagreements over Polish property restitution laws and the need for armed security for Israeli youth groups visiting the country. This has had an adverse effect on their relationship.
In an interview for the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, Duda said Isaac Herzog’s trip to Poland to mark the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was very positive.
“It is a very positive thing to have the president of Israel arrive in Poland to take part in the commemoration events,” Duda told the paper. “The reason for that is because we can say that this was an uprising for both Poland and Israel. It is a very positive thing that the two countries have both sought to honour the memory of the heroes of the Ghetto Uprising. It is very good that both sides want to bow their heads and pay their respects for the heroism of the uprising’s fighters.”
Polish President Andrzej Duda has expressed his approval of the recent reconciliation between Poland and Israel. The two nations had been at odds, resulting in Jerusalem cancelling youth trips to Poland
“[W]e still hope that Israel wants to have a friend in this part of Europe that is not indifferent to it,” he said. “Very simple. For that reason, the president’s visit and the call I had with him are good signs of friendship being renewed.”