Israel-Poland row escalates over law limiting WWII restitution

The diplomatic war between Jerusalem and Warsaw has been escalating in the past week, with new developments unfolding almost on a daily basis. The reason for this recent open war is the approval, first by the Polish parliament and then by Polish President Andrzej Duda, of a bill limiting the ability of Jews to recover property seized by Nazis in Poland during World War II.

The last bitter exchange between the two countries came Aug. 15. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki rejected accusations by Jerusalem that the new legislation was in fact antisemitic. He also expressed anger over the decision by Foreign Minister Yair Lapid to call back Israel’s top diplomat in Warsaw and to avoid sending to Warsaw the newly appointed ambassador. “Israel’s decision to lower the rank of the diplomatic representation in Warsaw is groundless and irresponsible. … If the Israeli government continues to attack Poland in this way, it will also have a very negative impact on our relations, both bilateral and international forums,” said Morawiecki.

Lapid responded to Morawiecki in a Twitter post of his own, saying, "Gone are the days when Poles harmed Jews without consequence. Today, Jews have a proud and strong country of their own. We do not fear antisemitic threats, and have no intention of turning a blind eye to the shameful conduct of the anti-democratic Polish government."

Tensions between Israel and Poland started some two years ago, escalating last June when the Polish Lower House  voted in favor of the bill. The bill was then approved by the Polish Senate (the Upper House) with two amendments, which required a second vote by the Lower House. At that point, Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy announced he will not establish an Israel-Poland parliamentary friendship group. This did not deter Warsaw. The revised bill passed again Aug. 11, pending the final approval of the Polish president, accorded three days later.