The remarks made by Germany’s president about collective guilt were delivered on the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Ahead of a national reflection on reparations, the Polish side called for concrete actions to accompany apologies, a point emphasized by Przemysław Czarnek, the head of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, in a television interview on Wednesday.
In Warsaw, at the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes, a significant ceremony brought together leaders from Poland, Germany, and Israel, along with representatives of Jewish communities. President Andrzej Duda, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Israeli President Issac Herzog, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, and numerous Jewish community figures joined the commemoration marking the eightieth anniversary of the uprising.
Public discourse swiftly highlighted a corresponding call for accountability. The German president’s declaration of seeking forgiveness for crimes committed by Germans resonated across the audience, drawing questions about how these words translate into tangible reparative steps. The Polish government’s cultural minister spoke about the need for consistency between words and deeds, noting that accountability has long been a recurring theme in German political life during such commemorations.
According to Czarnek, apologies in themselves matter but must be followed by concrete measures. He pointed to the heavy historical damage caused by German actions, including during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and argued that the harm remains largely unrepaired. He stressed that the reparations issue is still on the table and worth pursuing through formal arrangements that acknowledge the losses and suffering experienced by Polish citizens and communities.
Asked whether a settlement on reparations could be reached, Czarnek acknowledged Germany’s status as a long-standing ally of Poland within the European Union and NATO. He also emphasized that the foundation of Polish-German ties is built on mutual interests and shared security, even as Poland continues to press for full recognition of the wartime damages. The ambassador for reconciliation, in his view, must be visible not just in rhetoric but through concrete acts that demonstrate solidarity with Poland’s memory of the war and its ongoing consequences.
reparations and political will
The minister underscored that words must be matched by visible deeds. The dialogue on reparations remains a central theme in Polish-German relations, framed by a broader commitment to EU and NATO cooperation. The possibility of negotiated compensation is viewed as part of a larger effort to address historical injustices and prevent their recurrence, reinforcing the two nations’ shared path toward stability and mutual respect.
In public remarks, Czarnek reiterated that Poles reserve the right to demand that Germany acknowledge and repair the immense damage caused during the period of occupation and warfare. The aim is not simply to revisit the past but to build a practical framework through which obligations are fulfilled and trust can be restored between two neighboring countries with deep historical ties.
The conversation also touched on broader security and regional cooperation, with officials noting that Germany will continue to be a steadfast ally in Europe. Yet the emphasis remained on welcoming concrete actions as proof of sincerity, beyond apologies that have been offered in past decades. The sense shared by many observers is that accountability must extend beyond words in ceremonies or speeches and into long-term measures that reflect responsibility and solidarity.
agreement with Israel
Another focal point of the day was a newly signed agreement with Israel concerning travel for Polish youth to Israel and for Israeli youth to Poland. The agreement aims to foster exchange programs that broaden young people’s understanding of each other’s histories and cultures. The Polish side proposed enriching visits by integrating elements of Polish culture and history, ensuring that young visitors from Israel encounter Poland not only as a place of remembrance but as a vibrant nation with its own traditions and present-day life. The objective is to balance the solemn aspects of historical sites with opportunities to appreciate Poland’s beauty, heritage, and openness.
The goal of such exchanges is twofold: to educate young people about the Holocaust and the human stories behind it, and to showcase Poland’s contemporary society—its landscapes, customs, and everyday life—so that negative associations stemming from sites of destruction do not dominate their impression. Officials emphasized that these visits are about learning and empathy, not about reducing the significance of the past.
The discussion concluded with a reaffirmation of the importance of continued dialogue and cultural exchange as tools for reconciliation and mutual understanding. The events underscored a shared commitment to confronting history honestly while advancing cooperation that benefits both Polish and Israeli youth, as well as broader European and transatlantic ties.
— cited from wPolityce