WARSAW: Activists in Poland on Wednesday submitted a nationwide petition for the government to expel the Israeli ambassador immediately over war crimes in Gaza.
According to Arab media protests against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza have been a regular occurrence in Poland since the start of the onslaught in October.
One of the main groups organizing the meetings and rallies to increase political pressure, and bring the people of Poland closer to Palestinian history and culture is Wschod — a movement of young activists dedicated to social justice.
Wschod’s petition to expel the Israeli ambassador, Yacov Livne, from Poland, was signed by 7,931 people till Wednesday.
Zofia Hecht, a member of Wschod, told Arab media that the petition is an important sign to the Polish government from its people.
The activist said there is a large group of people who do not agree with the strategy of Israel toward Palestinians.
Poland recognizes Palestinian statehood
Poland recognizes Palestinian statehood and has voted in favor of the UN’s recent resolutions seeking an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The Polish government, a close ally of the US, has avoided the criticism of Tel Aviv and its war on Gaza, where Israeli forces have so far killed more than 35,000 people mostly women and children, and injured 80,000.
UN agencies and experts have repeatedly blamed Israel for committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. The International Court of Justice in January also observed that Tel Aviv’s actions in the Palestinian enclave could amount to genocide.
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Emil Al-Khawaldeh, Wschod’s Palestine campaign coordinator said the previous actions taken by the Polish government to stop the Israeli genocide in Gaza were not enough.
The petition was created when people of Poland started to pay more attention to Gaza after a Polish national, Damian Sobol, was killed when Israeli troops targeted and killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers last month.
