Paweł Jabłoński, a former Deputy Foreign Minister, called for a stronger, clearer response from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the death of a Polish citizen in the Gaza context. In an interview with wPolityce.pl, he stressed that a crime had been committed and that those responsible must be held to account, underscoring the importance of identifying the perpetrators rather than focusing solely on the attack itself. His comments reflect a demand for accountability rooted in international law and humanitarian norms.
READ ALSO: The ministry did not explicitly attribute the fatality to Israeli shelling in its condolence message, sparking a heated online debate about the government’s wording and stance.
wPolityce.pl raised the question of whether the Foreign Ministry, under its leadership at the time, responded appropriately to the death stemming from an Israeli airstrike that affected a Polish national.
Jabłoński asserted that the Foreign Ministry should have issued a more decisive statement. He described the incident as a crime carried out in breach of international law and international humanitarian law, calling for consequences for those responsible. He also criticized a Twitter post by the minister mentioning direct contact with the ambassador, insisting that such steps be handled by senior officials within the ministry, such as the director of a department or a state secretary. The current approach, in his view, appeared disordered and chaotic, signaling a need for a more orderly diplomatic posture.
Asked about future developments, Jabłoński suggested that additional details would emerge through parliamentary oversight and ongoing investigations. The ministry has said procedures are underway to determine the identity of the Polish victim, though local authorities already disclosed the identity in some cases.
The focus of the discussion repeatedly returned to the identification of those responsible. Jabłoński argued that the key issue is not merely who died but who orchestrated and executed the act. He urged continued accountability through information requests directed at Israel about the investigation’s status and findings, stressing that consequences must follow if wrongdoing is confirmed.
When asked whether the Israeli military would identify those responsible for civilian casualties, Jabłoński noted that an attack targeted a marked humanitarian convoy. Reports indicated that the Israeli side had been informed of the convoy’s movements, suggesting a violation of international law and potentially a war crime. He emphasized that those responsible should face consequences and that the matter would not settle with a single official statement.
On whether Poland should seek broader consultation with allies to explain the incident, Jabłoński supported engaging with nations whose citizens were affected. He asserted that it is in Poland’s interest to pursue accountability and to press Israel for appropriate consequences. Whether such steps are possible would depend on the actions undertaken by Poland and its partners.
The conversation closed with appreciation for the opportunity to discuss the issue and a reminder that accountability remains a central goal in addressing operations that affect civilians and humanitarian workers.
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– A Polish citizen identified as a resident of Przemyśl and a World Central Kitchen volunteer was highlighted in ongoing coverage.
— The former foreign minister Sikorski spoke with the Israeli ambassador, emphasizing the need to understand how and why the events unfolded and what factors contributed to the tragedy.
– The Israeli army announced an investigation into the deaths of foreign volunteers in the Gaza Strip, signaling an intention to determine the facts and draw conclusions.