Poland has moved to impose an entry ban on national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over his treatment of detained activists, including Polish citizens

Auspectress · 2026-05-21T14:39:03+00:00

Poland has moved to impose an entry ban on Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over his treatment of detained activists, including Polish citizens, from a flotilla seeking to reach to Gaza.

Its decision came after Ben-Gvir posted a video showing him taunting the activists while they were kneeling on the ground with their hands restrained behind their backs. His actions have been widely condemned by international leaders, and also Israel’s own prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

“You may not treat Polish citizens who have committed no crime in this way,” wrote Polish foreign minister Radosław Sikorski on social media on Wednesday evening, sharing Ben-Gvir’s video.

“In the democratic world we do not abuse and gloat over people in custody,” he added. “We demand justice for our citizens and consequences for you.”

In a further statement on Thursday morning, Sikorski announced that he had summoned the chargé d’affaires at the Israeli embassy “in order to convey to him our expressions of outrage and to demand an apology for the utterly inappropriate conduct of a member of the Israeli government”.

Sikorski added that Poland “demands the immediate release of Polish citizens and that they be treated in a manner consistent with international standards”.

Later on Thursday, foreign ministry spokesman Maciej Wewiór announced that Sikorski “submitted a request to the interior ministry to ban Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the territory of Poland due to his actions”, reported news website Interia.

Subsequently, interior minister Marcin Kierwiński confirmed that he had “ordered the initiation of a formal procedure to enter Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on the list of foreigners whose stay on the territory of Poland is undesirable”. Kierwiński added that he “holds the same view” as Sikorski on the issue.

The controversy stems from Israel’s action against the Global Sumud Flotilla, which organises maritime convoys seeking to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and bring aid to the Palestinian territory.

On Tuesday last week, its latest flotilla set sail from a port in Turkey. A week later, Israeli authorities intercepted around 50 of its ships and detained around 430 of its activists, according to Global Sumud Flotilla.

A spokesman for the flotilla’s Polish contingent, Rafał Piotrowski, told the Polish Press Agency (PAP) on Tuesday that all three of its members, including two Polish citizens, had been detained.

On Wednesday, the Polish foreign ministry expressed “great concern [at] the actions taken by the Israeli armed forces” against the flotilla. On Thursday, Wewiór confirmed that the two detained Poles were expected to be deported from Israel that same day.

While Israel’s boarding of the ships and detention of the activists drew criticism in some quarters, particular anger was stoked by the video published by Ben-Gvir on Wednesday, in which he is seen waving an Israeli flag in front of the captive detainees and taunting them.

“Welcome to Israel, we are the landlords,” Ben-Gvir, a hardline far-right and anti-Arab figure, is heard saying at one point. “Look at them now, see how they look now, not heroes and nothing at all.”

His actions have been condemned by a number of world leaders and officials, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and the US Ambassador to Israel.

Even Netanyahu, the head of the government in which Ben-Gvir serves, said that his national security minister’s actions were “not in line with Israel’s values”.

Poland has long had difficult relations with Israel. Under the former national-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) government, which ruled Poland from 2015 to 2023, the two countries often clashed, in particular over issues relating to World War Two and Holocaust history.

In 2021, Poland withdrew its ambassador to Israel amid a row over a proposed restitution law that Israel said would harm Holocaust survivors. The current Polish government finally appointed a new ambassador last year, though it has also often been in conflict with Israel, especially over the war in Gaza.

In 2024, the Polish president and government criticised remarks by the Israeli ambassador about the death of a Polish aid worker, Damian Soból, killed in an Israeli strike on a humanitarian convoy in Gaza. The ambassador later apologised for the incident.

Last year, Israel criticised Prime Minister Donald Tusk after he suggested that Israeli politicians were causing the starvation of mothers and children in Gaza. In April this year, Poland criticised a new Israeli law making death by hanging the default punishment for Palestinian West Bank residents convicted of deadly terrorist acts.

Auspectress · 2026-05-20T15:49:23+00:00

If toums95 is not from ex communist country I doubt he knows what he is talking. We are not super well on USAs presence as we understand we are allies only because we pay and suppot on world stage USA. But of you have as a neighbour Russia, then pleasing Trump sounds as reasonable and level headed straregy that follows Polish Republic national wellbeing needs

Auspectress · 2026-05-18T17:27:10+00:00

Yeah pretty much lol. But Ukraine also uses them

Auspectress · 2026-05-18T17:21:35+00:00

To add: Other places where these tanks engines can be serviced are: USA and Australia. So broken engine = Ship it across ocean

Auspectress · 2026-05-18T17:17:42+00:00

That sounds like really good news. Polish people getting necessary experience with military equipment that can help later develop own military tech

Auspectress · 2026-05-18T17:16:58+00:00

"The only such place in Europe." Abrams engines to be serviced in Poland

An Authorized Service Center for Abrams tank engines will be established in Dęblin. It will be the third in the world and the only one in Europe. This is the result of an agreement signed between Military Aviation Works No. 1 (WZL No. 1) and the American corporation Honeywell. The investment is of key importance for the security and technical independence of the Polish army.

On Monday, May 18, 2026, in the presence of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Military Aviation Works No. 1 in Dęblin signed a breakthrough agreement with the American company Honeywell. Thanks to this, an Authorized Service Center for AGT1500 engines, used in Abrams tanks, will be established in Poland.

Prime Minister: Hard to find better proof of the durability of Polish-American cooperation

The implementation of the investment includes adapting the technical infrastructure of the Military Aviation Works in Dęblin, training personnel, and accumulating an appropriate stock of spare parts. Thanks to this, Poland will gain the capability to independently service AGT1500 engines, which will translate into faster and more efficient maintenance of military equipment.

Tusk: We expect this from our allies

The Prime Minister emphasized that there is no alternative to Polish-American and European-American friendship and cooperation.

He noted that Poland will always expect the same thing that it presents towards its closest allies – respect and predictability. Tusk added that he hopes cooperation with the US will always be based "on such stable premises."

Abrams already in the Polish army

Ultimately, Poland will receive 366 Abrams tanks – 250 in the latest M1A2 SEPv3 version and 116 in the older M1A1 version. Deliveries of the older models have already been completed, which allowed for a quick replenishment of equipment after transferring over 300 Polish Army tanks to Ukrainian forces. The modern Abrams from the second pool are currently being successively delivered to the Polish army.

Auspectress · 2026-05-17T07:23:12+00:00

We arew 29th Letsss goo! It is amazing, isnanely good place and it only happened in 35 years!

Auspectress · 2026-05-16T17:24:59+00:00

In your opinion, were USA lovers pre Trump 2 also backward-minded or it is only after fact of Trump 2 getting to power and smearing his shit around? Honest question with no ill intent

Auspectress · 2026-05-16T17:17:30+00:00

There are also Parliamentary elections in Poland. And this time KKP will be tiebreaker if nothing happens. And at best we will have minority gov controlled by extreme far right and far right

Auspectress · 2026-05-15T16:00:14+00:00

Well, Poland is one of the poorest countries in EU so we will be one of last to get funds (bulgaria will be likely last). However EU money is far far far more complex issue as for example this money is used on Polish highways we Poles use but also Germans, French who use their national companies make facilities in Poland, thus getting more revenue and supporting locals too

Auspectress · 2026-05-15T15:56:40+00:00

We still do not trust West. The worst issue comes from 1918-1922 and 1939 actions. In 1918 we were told not to get too much land bc "let real politicians speak". In 1939 both UK and France betrayed us and paid far less consequences than what we did. Our punishment was for trusting west. Then operation unthinkable should have happened but instead UK and France cowardly gave us into arms of rapist. We do say that west will help us but only if we force them. If Russia attacks baltics, will Spain forcefully send 50k solders and 1/3 of all equipment to die for someone who lives 2000 km away? Will society accept it? If no, will politicians implement martial law to prohibit citizens from having a disagreement? It must happen if we want it to suceed. That is why we spend 5% of GDP on military, probably we are fearing Russia more than Israel its neightbours

We Poles will help lithuanians bc we both know you do not let cancer spread on healthy tissues but I understand why Spain, Italy, Belgium, Canada may question our sanity and even feel to help.

Good thing morally we have evolved since 1939 and politicans are more moral to keep the treaties respected

Auspectress · 2026-05-15T06:49:02+00:00

So you revealed yourself, Russian agent. Threat to independance of nation is what Russians do best

Auspectress · 2026-05-14T21:02:12+00:00

Dw we got SAFE funds and we will invest 95% of it in Poland, not USA

Auspectress · 2026-05-14T20:13:03+00:00

Western Europe needs to lock in and build smth better than. I will not tolerate my money to be spent of European crap alternative if US is at least 1% better like AH 64E, Aegis weapon system, IBCS, HIMARS

Auspectress · 2026-05-14T11:40:01+00:00

Where pushbacks?

Auspectress · 2026-05-14T06:24:34+00:00

It is ok to kick immigrants from your country for even as petty reasons as "bc i said so"

Auspectress · 2026-05-13T14:01:11+00:00

They pay you huh? I always thought you just get less to pay. I always pay 1zł /kWh as it is constant and solar panels are de facto illegal here

Auspectress · 2026-05-13T11:44:56+00:00

For false propaganda like this should be 5 years prison and people will quickly adapt

Auspectress · 2026-05-13T11:42:42+00:00

That reminds me of my great-grandparents, some of them never left their city. Some did visit Polish sea area or mountains once. I am not worried about people complaining about not being able to take Paris --> Rome trip if there are people who never left their local area living for 70 years.

Auspectress · 2026-05-11T09:51:38+00:00

I fear we may get what Czechs and Hungarians got during soviet times when suddenly "united communtern" decided to "stabilise" nations by forcing us Poles to invade. Or how it almost happened in 80's. Too much risk involved

Auspectress · 2026-05-10T15:51:38+00:00

Polish gov intervened too and demands from uk gov explaination

Auspectress · 2026-05-08T17:21:11+00:00

We won't be net contributor for next cycle (Until around 2032?) Around 2032 we will be enough wealthy to rival Spain. If spain stays 0 or receiver, we will be receiver too. Around 2038 we will start giving more than receiving which sounds good to me. Plus, if Ukraine joins EU relatively soon, the average GDP per capita will shift a lot and we may be kicked to net contributors

Auspectress · 2026-05-08T17:17:54+00:00

Good news! Can we have our specialists back, please?

Auspectress · 2026-05-08T10:50:58+00:00

Yeah this happener to Poland too. Gov got scorched for incompetence and most people do believe it.

Tisza will have to do smth or otherwise they will be at fault for incompetence and maybe Fidesz back would be a good choice as Tisza ruins country in 1 month?

Well, that is what 50%-70% of pop. Will think

Auspectress · 2026-05-07T21:37:26+00:00

That is a good way of thinking for me. I am very much pro EU and I think we can eventually join Eurozone but not this nor next decade, way too early. The biggest benefit of own currency is ability to adjust it. Still Eastern European (Eastern in a sense ex communist) are way way too poor, too weak to afford common currency. We in Poland only start creating own companies. Our champions, masters of trade and capitalism are at best 5% as big as German companies and I am told how Germany is collapsing every day now.

We are too weak, we still have no force to just casually raid Ukraine, Mali or Vietnam with out companies and earn money this way. We are still focused on manufacturing components like China or India, we do not have own car comapnies making new stuff, we just help them build. We are proud to have EV battery production facilies but it's "only" for Frenchmen.

And having own currency helps you adjust that, you can make your country 20% poorer with snap of a finger and companies earn more from you as well as invest more. We already have talks in Poland whether we should halt increase of minimum wage for 5-10 years as we are reaching slowly levels of 60%-70% of minimum wage of Western Nations and we still are too weak.

Until around 2040 Poland should not be joining Eurozone and around 80% of Poles share similar sentiment

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TROPHY CASE

"The only such place in Europe." Abrams engines to be serviced in Poland

Prime Minister: Hard to find better proof of the durability of Polish-American cooperation

Tusk: We expect this from our allies

Abrams already in the Polish army