On 16 March 2023, an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Government of the State of Israel on cooperation in the field of study tours for organised groups of young people was negotiated in Warsaw. A preliminary agreement on the matter was reached, announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Coinciding with the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs communiqué is also information from the Israeli media, which stresses that the Israeli delegation has reached preliminary agreements with the Polish government to regulate security issues and the subject of educational excursions of Israeli youth to Poland.

The Israeli delegation, comprising representatives of the ministries of foreign affairs, education and security, was headed by MFA Director General Ronen Levy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke positively about the agreement, noting that “the lessons of the Holocaust can be learned in many ways, but there is nothing better than seeing it with your own eyes”.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch, quoted by Israel National News, said he welcomed the decision to resume study group delegations to Poland. 

This is a very important decision of exceptional importance and value. “I thank the Polish ministers for their cooperation, which contributed to the success of the resumption of the delegation. I see great importance in passing on the memory of the Holocaust and the heritage of our people to all Israeli students”, stressed Yoav Kisch.

It should be recalled that one of the causes of the disputes between Warsaw and Tel-Aviv was the fact that Israeli youths were coming to Poland accompanied by armed bodyguards, something Poland strongly opposed. Israeli media report that according to the agreement, it will be Polish security guards who will protect the tours and Israeli guards will be allowed in cases of specific threats.

Adrian Andrzejewski