Israel to recall envoy to Poland after approval of WWII restitution law

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid says he’s indefinitely recalling Israel’s envoy to Warsaw for consultations over Poland’s passage of a law that severely restricts World War II-era restitution claims.

The Foreign Ministry will also advise Poland’s ambassador to Israel to remain on vacation in his homeland, according to a statement from Lapid’s office.

The statement also says Israel is in touch with the US on how to respond.

“Poland, not for the first time, today passed an antisemitic and immoral law,” Lapid says in a Hebrew-language statement.

He adds: “This will not end here. We are holding discussions with the Americans on how to proceed. This evening Poland turned into an antidemocratic, illiberal country that doesn’t respect the greatest tragedy in human history. We must never remain silent. Israel and the Jewish people definitely will not be silent.”

FM @yairlapid: “Poland today approved – not for the first time – an immoral, antisemitic law. This evening I instructed the charge d’affaires at our embassy in Warsaw to return immediately to Israel for consultations, for an indefinite period of time. (1/2)

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) August 14, 2021