Israel asks Polish security bureau chief to reschedule trip to Tel Aviv

Paweł Soloch, head of the body which provides support to the Polish president in executing security and defence tasks, was expected to travel to Israel next week.

Tensions between Poland and Israel emerged over a bill passed through Polish parliament to penalise the use of the phrase “Polish death camps,” which suggests Poland played a role in running Nazi German extermination camps.

Poland has long fought the use of the phrase “Polish death camps” which appeared in foreign media in relation to Nazi German-run extermination camps located in occupied Polish territory during World War II.

The proposed law could mean a jail term for anyone who accuses the Polish nation of being complicit in Nazi German crimes during World War II.

But commentators have said that Israel is concerned that the planned new law could mean penalties for anyone who criticises any individual Pole's role in the Holocaust.

Israeli ambassador to Poland Anna Azari has said that her country rejected the bill, adding that: "In Israel, this bill is seen as creating a possibility of punishment for Holocaust survivors' testimony".

A working group for “historic truth and Israeli dialogue” was called on Thursday, after Morawiecki and his Israeli counterpart earlier agreed to hold bilateral dialogue.

GermanDeathCamps.info, a new educational website aimed at debunking misconceptions about Poland’s role in the Holocaust, has been launched by Polish Radio.

The Polish bill was passed in the Senate on Thursday and needs to be signed by President Andrzej Duda before it enters into law. (vb/pk)

Source: IAR