Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna spoke on Radio Zet about the arrival of Israel’s ambassador to Poland, Yakov Liwne. Liwne had suggested that segments of Poland’s political spectrum bore some responsibility for a planned action. Szejna dismissed those remarks as thoughtless, arguing that Israel should publicly acknowledge responsibility, show humility, and respond with restraint. He urged a measured approach that avoids inflammatory rhetoric.
Image and public discourse around Israel
Liwne’s comments appeared on Platform, sparking a broader discussion about Poland’s stance and its role. Online conversations reflected a wide range of views, from sharp criticism to concerns about humanitarian considerations, illustrating how international events connected to aid operations can polarize opinions in Poland and beyond.
Szejna argued that Liwne’s response did little to ease the tension. He urged Israel to adopt a modest posture at this moment, including a formal apology and a pause on statements that could escalate tensions. The attack on a humanitarian convoy was seen by many observers, both at home and abroad, as a stain on Israel’s image. It was noted that while Poland’s ruling coalition condemned Hamas’s assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, the global community — diverse in opinions and careful in judgments — joined in condemning violence against relief workers involved in aid operations.
Summoning the ambassador was unnecessary
During the broadcast, Szejna offered condolences to the families of those lost in the Israeli operation. He recalled that the head of Poland’s Foreign Ministry, Radosław Sikorski, had pressed for a meeting with Israel’s foreign minister to discuss the incident, describing it as unprecedented and intolerable. When asked about pursuing redress for a Polish citizen who died, Szejna indicated that seeking compensation seemed obvious, while also questioning the Israeli Prime Minister’s assertion that seven World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza were killed accidentally during military actions.
Even in a situation described as tragic and unintended, the consequences resembled the aftermath of a serious clash where accountability is sought. The deputy minister urged the Israeli prime minister to reflect on responsibility and how families affected by the tragedy should be compensated.
Szejna reiterated that the Polish government’s response and the Foreign Ministry’s stance on the humanitarian convoy attack remained balanced and firm. He also indicated there was no immediate need to summon the Israeli ambassador for a formal reprimand. He added that the foreign minister had requested a meeting with the envoy, who assured that the investigation results would be shared promptly.
There was ongoing discussion about the condolence message from the Foreign Ministry, with some noting that it did not explicitly reference the Israeli shelling of the area that caused a Polish citizen’s death, which sparked online debate [citation: official statements and media discussions].