Q: Why was the Association established?
A: The Association was established in 1984, at a time when Warsaw was still in the grips of of the dying communist regime. The situation wasn’t easy. Israel still remembered the 1968 anti-Semitic witchhunts. But despite that a group of Israelis decided to do something and break the impasse in relations with Poland. The rest is history.
Q: What were their objectives?
A: To break down the barriers of the past, to come closer together and to rebut the pervading stereotypes. It is interesting that I decided to join the initiative during my stay in Poland, as I felt that something important and new was taking place there.
Q: In those days Israelis weren’t allowed to enter Poland. How did you obtain a visa?
A: I also have French citizenship and so my French passport was “kosher” enough.
Q: The Israel-Poland Friendship Association will soon be celebrating its twenty- fifth anniversary. What were some of your recent activities and achievements?
A: The Hebrew Faculty was established in Poznań thanks to the Association. We have been instrumental in developing cooperation between the Jagiellonian University in Cracow and the Humanities University in Ariel. It is worth mentioning the exhibition about Jewish soldiers in the Polish Army between the end of the 18th century and the final days of World War II, held in Jerusalem, and The Year of Jan Karski in Israel. We are very actively supporting Irena Sendler’s nomination for the Nobel Prize. Although we were unsuccessful, we are organising many events to promote this noble and extraordinary Pole, who saved 2500 Jewish children in the Warsaw Ghetto. And we have to mention our involvement in organising Holocaust education trips to Poland for Israeli youth. This matter is also quite controversial here.
Q: What is the Association working on currently?
A: We are organising a mission of mayors and representatives of local governments from Poland. It is a huge undertaking, and the first of its kind. We hope that it won’t be the last.
Q: How is Poland perceived in Israel?
A: The image is improving. There have been enormous changes. More people want to go to Poland and discover the New Poland. Relations between our countries are excellent. Politically Poland is Israel’s best friend in Europe today. In terms of relations between our nations there is till much to be done.

Dr Ilona Dworak – Cousin came to Israel as a child. She graduated in medicine in Bologna and lives in Raanana near Tel Aviv. She is an author, and has written many books about Israeli-Polish relations. Since 2006 she heads the Israel-Poland Friendship Association.