Statement of The Reconciliation Foundation
For the last days the Polish-Israeli relationships have been submitted to a hard trial which has been unprecedented since the official relations between the two states have been renewed in 1990.
The amended, imprecise act of law concerning The Institute of National Remembrance has woken up justified anxiety that free historical research might be restricted. The anxiety is sensed both in Israel and in many Polish communities. We also share the anxiety and identify with it.
The discussions have revealed a high level of anti-Semitism among some of our journalists, press people, commentators, as well as common people. The attitude has been so far hidden under a mask of the political correctness.
It was very unfortunate that the act was passed a day before the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a short time before the 50th anniversary of anti-Semitic hunt in 1968 and the 70th anniversary of the rising of the Israeli State. We would like to assure all of our Friends in Israel and all over the world that we are not going to walk off the path of building bridges of friendship and reconciliation between the Polish and Israeli nations.
There is no alternative for reconciliation between Poland and Israel!
Therefore, the “Marches of Life” and events organized by our Foundation will have in view building the bridges of friendship and reconciliation with the Jewish Nation that, although survived the fire of Holocaust, still needs our support.
The hard moment in our relationships strengthens our conviction that we should keep following the paths of reconciliation and life.