Poland Israel’s Friend

March 1, 2006

Considering Poland’s WWII-era history, which includes a massacre of Jews by Polish Christians, it is an amazing turnaround.Ever since the fall of communism, Poland has consistently pursued a pro-Israel and pro-American policy. Its first foreign policy decision as a democratic state in 1989 was to reestablish diplomatic relations with Israel. Poland was also second to Czechoslovakia in sending an ambassador to Israel. In 1991, Lech Walesa, the Solidarity hero-turned president, became the first Polish leader to visit Israel. In an address to the Knesset, he asked forgiveness for all the crimes committed by Poles against the Jews and assured Israel that modern Poland is a friend they can trust.

At a recent meeting with Jewish leaders, top advisers to the prime minister of Poland made the following statement of solidarity: “We do not intend to give in to European political correctness on Israel.”

The newly elected Polish President Lech Kaczynski has called his country to return to Christian values and moral change. for which he has received much criticism in Europe. At a recent visit to Washington D.C., President Bush thanked Kaczynski for sending troops to Iraq and for being one of America’s strongest allies in Europe. Some say that of all European countries, there is no other that is both as pro-Israeli and pro-American.

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