Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he does not approve of the way the Israeli ambassador spoke about the IDF shelling of a humanitarian convoy in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the death of seven volunteer aid workers, including a Pole.
On Wednesday evening, Israeli Ambassador to Poland Yacov Livne gave a series of interviews in Polish media, including TVP World, in which he was asked primarily about the issue of the deaths of volunteers.
Livne asserted, among other things, that there was a “a tragic accident and mistake that could have happened under wartime conditions” during a night operation; he also expressed regret over the death of the volunteers.
At the same time, the Israeli diplomat assured that the Israeli authorities will explain what happened and thoroughly investigate the causes of the tragedy, which they will then inform the authorities of Poland and other countries whose citizens were killed in the shelling of the convoy.
Polish government responds
“The ambassador should make a simple, human apology,” Tusk said. He added that Poland will expect compensation for the relatives of the deceased Pole, Damian Soból.
Livne asserted, among other things, that there was a “a tragic accident and mistake that could have happened under wartime conditions” during a night operation; he also expressed regret over the death of the volunteers.
At the same time, the Israeli diplomat assured that the Israeli authorities will explain what happened and thoroughly investigate the causes of the tragedy, which they will then inform the authorities of Poland and other countries whose citizens were killed in the shelling of the convoy.
Polish government responds
“The ambassador should make a simple, human apology,” Tusk said. He added that Poland will expect compensation for the relatives of the deceased Pole, Damian Soból.
The prime minister was asked during a conference on Thursday whether he plans to hold talks with the Israeli prime minister over the tragic attack.
Tusk stressed that the Polish volunteer’s killing should not be justified by the war situation, as asserted by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
“We all know what happened there, how senseless and unnecessary this death was,” Tusk said. With regard to Israeli Ambassador to Poland Yacov Livne’s approach, Tusk said “If the ambassador chooses to make public appearances in our media, he should use this opportunity to say a simple, human apology”.
He announced that Poland would expect a full and immediate explanation of the tragedy and compensation for the victim's relatives.
Poland’s Minister of Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz commented that the ambassador’s words were “full of arrogance and prove there is no reflection in his attitude.”
Tusk stressed that the Polish volunteer’s killing should not be justified by the war situation, as asserted by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
“We all know what happened there, how senseless and unnecessary this death was,” Tusk said. With regard to Israeli Ambassador to Poland Yacov Livne’s approach, Tusk said “If the ambassador chooses to make public appearances in our media, he should use this opportunity to say a simple, human apology”.
He announced that Poland would expect a full and immediate explanation of the tragedy and compensation for the victim's relatives.
Poland’s Minister of Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz commented that the ambassador’s words were “full of arrogance and prove there is no reflection in his attitude.”
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