search

Israeli, Polish FMs speak about restoring full diplomatic ties

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen arrives at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, on January 29, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen arrives at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, on January 29, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen speaks with his Polish counterpart Zbigniew Rau about restoring full bilateral ties, in the first conversation between the countries’ top diplomats in over two years.

According to Israel, Rau says he would weigh returning an envoy to Israel.

In July 2021, Poland’s legislature passed a law effectively cutting off any future restitution to the heirs of property seized by the Nazis during the Holocaust. In response to the legislation, then-foreign minister Yair Lapid recalled Israel’s envoy to Warsaw for consultations the following month and advised Poland’s ambassador to Israel to remain on vacation in his homeland.

Yacov Livne filled the post in Warsaw in July 2022, his path back smoothed by the need to coordinate humanitarian and consular efforts in neighboring Ukraine.

But other tensions remain.

Israel in June canceled educational trips to Poland for thousands of high school students. The cancellation of the Holocaust school trips had reignited longstanding tensions between the two countries over Poland’s treatment of its Jewish citizens during the Holocaust.

Cohen and Rau speak about finalizing an agreement about resuming the trips, and say they will meet in person soon.

Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.