Israeli Student Trips to Poland Canceled Over Security Dispute

By Hamodia Staff

YERUSHALAYIM – This year’s Israeli student trips to Poland have been canceled due to a dispute between Israel and Poland over security provisions, according to media reports on Tuesday evening.

Polish authorities have refused to allow Shin Bet agents providing security for the trip to carry weapons while on their territory, according to Walla news. The decision was a departure from previous years, when they were allowed to carry arms.

“It has been decided at this time that the activities of the youth delegations to Poland will be frozen,” the Education Ministry said in a statement sent out to approximately 7,000 high school students who had signed up for the trips this summer.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said that negotiations are ongoing with the Polish government and that Poland is “interested in continuing student trips from Israel.”

There was no immediate comment from Poland on the change in policy that allegedly caused the cancellation.

Parents who pre-paid for their children will be refunded, the ministry promised the National Parents Council, according to Channel 12 news. However, obtaining the refunds may be a complicated process, given that each school booked the trip with different airlines and agencies.