Israel issues apology to Poland after diplomatic dispute over the death of Polish aid worker
On Friday, Poland announced that Israel’s ambassador had issued an apology for the Israeli airstrike that tragically claimed the life of a Polish citizen and six other aid workers in Gaza. This gesture followed days of tension after the ambassador sparked controversy by attributing Polish outrage over the attack to “antisemitism.”
Damian Sobol, a dedicated volunteer hailing from southeastern Poland, tragically lost his life in the airstrike that took place in central Gaza on Monday. He was one of seven individuals working for the renowned chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen who perished in the attack, sparking an international wave of sorrow and outrage.
At a press conference, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna explained that he presented a note of protest to the ambassador, who subsequently issued an apology for an unprecedented event in the history of the civilized world.
While the briefing was taking place, Israel said an inquiry into the air attack had found serious errors and breaches of procedure by the military, with the upshot that two officers had been fired and senior commanders formally reprimanded.
On Tuesday, Israeli Ambassador Yacov Livne upset Poland with a social media post saying that the “extreme right and left” in the country were accusing Israel of intentional murder, adding that “antisemites will always remain antisemites”.
After Friday’s meeting with Szejna, Livne said in a post on X: “Israel is fully committed to a transparent and thorough investigation of this grave tragedy”.
Szejna said that disciplinary measures in the military Israel announced on Friday would not be enough. He said Livne told him Israel’s top court would launch an investigation, but that Polish prosecutors should take part.
“There should be an investigation under the supervision of the victims’ countries under criminal law into this event, which bears the hallmarks of murder,” Szejna said, adding that Sobol’s family should also be offered compensation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the airstrike was a tragic mistake and Israel would do everything possible to prevent a recurrence.
The military said said Israeli forces erroneously believed they were attacking Hamas gunmen when drones hit the three vehicles of the World Central Kitchen aid group in central Gaza, and that standard procedures had not been followed.
“The information we received so far (from Israel) is not satisfactory,” Szejna said, “but we see this meeting (with Livne) as a change of tone.”
(Reuters)
