This guarantee, announced on Thursday, also applies to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently under an international arrest warrant, news outlets reported.
The Polish government has formally adopted a resolution to that effect.
The announcement comes amid concerns over an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Netanyahu in connection with alleged war crimes in Gaza.
While the ICC’s ruling is legally binding for its member states, Poland has made it clear that it will not detain Israeli officials attending the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
Tusk emphasized that his government had been working for days to ensure a safe environment for all attendees, particularly Israeli representatives.
He stressed that political leaders from Israel must have the right to visit the former Nazi German death camp, especially on such an important anniversary.
“We have an ICC verdict on one hand, but on the other, it has been obvious to me from the start that the Israeli prime minister, president, or any other official must have full rights and a sense of security when visiting Auschwitz, particularly on the anniversary of its liberation," Tusk said.
He added that he had instructed the justice and foreign ministers to draft the necessary resolution, which was finalized after several days of work.
The Polish government’s resolution explicitly states that ensuring the safe participation of Israeli leaders in the January 27 ceremony is an expression of Poland’s tribute to the Jewish people, millions of whom were victims of the Holocaust perpetrated by Nazi Germany.
Tusk also revealed that, according to information from the Israeli embassy, Israel will likely be represented at the commemoration by its education minister rather than Netanyahu.
The Polish prime minister criticized his country's President Andrzej Duda for turning the matter into a political issue.
Tusk argued that such diplomatic discussions should be handled discreetly rather than through public statements.
"There are issues that should be dealt with privately, especially when they are as significant and complex as this," Tusk said.
Duda’s office previously confirmed that the president had asked the government to ensure Netanyahu’s safe participation should he decide to attend.
Tusk told reporters that Poland must balance its commitment to international legal norms with the importance of commemorating Holocaust victims.
"We do not want Poland to be seen as a country that openly disregards international tribunal rulings," he said.
In November, the ICC’s chief prosecutor issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, citing alleged war crimes during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza against Hamas.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP