8 March 2007
His Excellency
Mr. Lech Kaczynski
President of the Republic of Poland
Via the Polish Embassy, Tel Aviv
Your Excellency,
Subject: Your Excellency’s comments in Ireland regarding gay people
I was very sorry to read the negative comments you made about gay people during your recent state visit to Ireland.
As the chairman of the Meretz-Yachad Party, a leading social-democratic party in Israel, and as a member of the Israeli parliament, I find it necessary to convey to you my feelings of dismay and concern in the face of such intolerant and demeaning remarks about fellow human beings, especially coming from a person serving as head of state.
I believe that the role of political figures, especially in the highest echelons of government, is to promote a more peaceful and tolerant society, and to improve the lives of our citizens, whoever they are.
Our sensitivity to the gay communities of the world should be higher in the wake of the discrimination that gay people have suffered in recent history, especially in Europe during the Nazi and fascist times. To say, therefore, as you were quoted to have said, that “homosexual culture” was a threat to the survival of the human race, raises troubling ghosts from the past, and reminds me, as a Jew, of humanity’s darkest hours.
Mr. President, the historical links between so many of Israel's citizens and Poland ensure that your remarks about different minorities in your country draw special attention. Your negative remarks about gay people arouse in many of us feelings of deep discomfort, undermining our efforts at building relations of cultural and political trust between our two nations.
Yours Sincerely,
Yossi Beilin
Member of the Israeli Knesset
Chairman of the Meretz-Yachad Party
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