Poland’s Piotr Gliński held talks with Israel’s Amichai Chikli in Warsaw on Tuesday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The two ministers talked about institutions of remembrance, ways for Poland and Israel to work together on bilateral youth exchange projects and the organisation of study visits to Poland and Israel for experts from both countries, according to officials.
In March, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau and Israel’s top diplomat Eli Cohen signed an agreement on the resumption of Israeli youth trips to Poland, which also guarantees Poland the right to organise youth trips to Israel along the same lines.
In July, the Polish parliament approved the ratification of the agreement, the PAP news agency reported.
Commemoration of Jewish Military Union
During Tuesday’s meeting, Gliński and Chikli also emphasised “the forgotten role of the Jewish Military Union and the need to commemorate this organisation,” the Polish culture ministry said.
Gliński referred to Jolanta Kessler’s documentary Two Flags. A Story About the Jewish Military Union, which was made to mark 80 years since the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, thanks to funding from the Polish culture ministry, according to officials.
Israel condemns anti-Christian incidents in Jerusalem
Meanwhile, Israel’s Chikli “gave assurances that the state of Israel firmly condemns any incidents targeting Christians in Jerusalem,” the Polish culture ministry said.
Last Saturday, two residents of Jerusalem were arrested on suspicion of vandalising a monastery of the Polish Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Elizabeth, the PAP news agency reported.
Anti-Christian incidents have been on the rise in Jerusalem’s Old Town, with members of Christian communities reporting being harassed and intimidated by "aggressive Jewish ultranationalists," according to PAP.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog condemned the surge in attacks on Christians in his country, especially in Jerusalem, describing them as “a real disgrace,” while the Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Jerusalem, Shlomo Amar, decried the harassment of Christians, saying that “such behaviour is strictly forbidden.”
Poland seeks compensation from Germany for WWII losses
Gliński and Chikli also discussed "the issue of Germany’s as-yet unpaid compensation for the losses it inflicted on Poland during World War II," according to officials.
Poland’s culture ministry said that Gliński had presented the Israeli minister with an official report on Poland’s wartime losses.
Moreover, Gliński "invited the Israeli side" to take part in "the upcoming beatification of the Ulma family, which will be held in Markowa on September 10," officials said.
The Polish Ulma family was killed by Germans for sheltering Jews during World War II.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, gov.pl
