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Polish president Aleksander Kwaśniewski met with Abraham Hirchson, chairman of the Israeli “March of
On September 2, 2004, Polish president Aleksander Kwaśniewski met at the Presidential Palace with Abraham Hirchson, chairman of the Israeli “March of the Living” project.
Kwaśniewski thanked Hirchson for all he has achieved in Polish-Jewish reconciliation, noting that the March of the Living project and its associated programs are among the greatest contributions to this effort. Thanks to these programs, thousands of young Jews from all over the world visit Poland each year. Kwaśniewski placed particular emphasis on the participation of Polish youth in the March, and the addition to the March of elements that inform young Israelis about the 800 years of Jewish history and tradition in Poland. He stressed the importance of Jews and Poles treating each other as partners when they participate in the March, fully understanding both the tragedy of the occupation and the many centuries during which the two peoples coexisted in Poland.
Hirchson thanked Kwaśniewski for his support for the March of the Living, including personal participation in Oświęcim on two occasions. Hirchson said that the number of participants from around the world and the range of the supporting program will make the 2005 March special. He invited Kwaśniewski to attend.
Hirchson and Kwaśniewski also discussed the current political situation in Poland and Israel.
Professor Shmuel Rosenman and Aaron Tamir, March project coordinators, were also at the meeting.
