The good relationship between Israel and Poland is in danger – according to Israel’s Ambassador to Poland, David Peleg – after the publication of an article in the Polish-language Przekroj weekly, which accused Israeli teens of damaging hotel rooms and traumatizing locals during visits to Poland.
About 25,000 Israeli teens visit Poland each year. Accompanied by Shin Bet security guards, the teens visit concentration camps, and learn about the Holocaust. Recently, there has been an increase in the amount of reports in the Polish press concerning the unruly behavior of the these visitors.
The article published in Przekroj, titled “Young Israeli’s run amok in Poland”, describes incidents of Israeli teens playing football in the hotel hallway at 2 am, burning carpets, breaking furniture, and leaving a mess in their beds and sinks.
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13 Responses
What an embarrassment!
It certainly is an embarrassment and there’s no excuse for it. But what about the well-documented cases of anti-Semitism from storekeepers who refuse to serve frum-looking Jews in Warsaw and Cracow. A Baltimore shul group visited Poland last November and encountered more than a few instances of blatant hatred and near violence. Why visit the scene of the crime? Although the Polish government is interested in tourist revenue, why reward the descendants of our murderers?
Q: What do you do when a Polack throws a grenade at you?
A: You pull the pin and throw it back!
Oh so some teenagers act like stam teenagers and suddenly Israel is bad? What about all the college towns and thier all-night drinking parties!!
A bunch of hypocrites
( Nothing new- just don’t forget)
Could you please change the headline to read “Israeli”?
Not that the anti-Semitic Poles deserve any better, but this type of behavior is why the Israeli tourist is despised throughout the world. However, there is no reason to lump Jewish tourists from other, more civilized, societies in with Israelis.
What a Chillul Hashem!
It is indeed a Chillul Hashem but I am still a bit skeptical on whether or not this story is accurate! Lets not forget that anti semitism still lingers on and its possible that this could be a GROSS EXAGGARATION ,dont forget the source!
We have polish neighbours and since they moved in they have not said a word to us, just a nod now and again. The previous polish tennants were quite friendly, something has definately changed their attitude towards us.
Playing football in the lobby at 2am, that describes any senior trip to Washington. Let the Polish hotel say no to tourists under a certain age, if they want a quiet & peaceful visit.
itzik s the americans are the most despised tourists not the israelis
ys765 just beause your polish neighbors dont talk to you has nothing to
do with tourism in poland! maybe its you they dont like or did it occur to you maybe they’re uncomfortable with new people.
im not sticking up for the poles as far as Im concerned they can all drop dead and i wont shed a tear
just get your facts straight
Well, when you consider the way Israelis despise US tourists as they bilk us of our hard earned money, maybe you are right. (and it is the case in France; as an American who happens to speak French I can tell you a few stories about what was said and done behind my back in CDG airport and the big department stores in Paris).
But having visited much of Europe and beyond, I have seen ignorant Americans who are sometimes ridiculed, but it is the Israelis who are truly despised for rudeness, overbearing behavior, and petty theft.
Might be Jay, I was just musing.
if the friendship is broken how will we be able to polish shiksas to clean our home