by Nick Kolyohin
JERUSALEM, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- The continuous quarrel between Israel and Poland over an Israeli official's remarks about Poland's role in the Holocaust, which has already led to the cancellation of Visegrad Group summit in Jerusalem, may endanger the mutual relations and even damage Israel's foreign policy.
Yisrael Katz, Israel's foreign minister, told the press on Sunday that Poles collaborated with the Nazis during the Second World War and "suckle anti-semitism with their mother's milk."
Poland demands apology from the Israeli foreign minister for his remarks that led to Poland's withdrawal from the first-ever Central European summit in Israel.
"It is really astonishing that the newly appointed foreign minister of Israel quotes such a shameful and racist remark. Utterly unacceptable," Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki tweeted on Sunday.
The Visegrad Group summit was scheduled to be held on Monday and Tuesday in Jerusalem with prime ministers of four Central European states: Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
These countries are strategically crucial for Israeli foreign policy in its struggle to win European support in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel is concerned in recent years about the growing anti-Israel movements and anti-semitism. The Palestinians constantly target Israel, especially in European institutions.
The Visegrad Group countries are also crucial for Israel in its continued attempt to abolish the landmark Iranian nuclear deal, as Europe is a significant force in maintaining the deal.
Israel views Poland as an important country which usually stands along with other central Europe countries for Israel, while the European Union condemns the Jewish state for the conflict with the Palestinians.
"Israel sees Poland as a country that can balance anti-Israel opinion inside the European Union," said Jonathan Rynhold, a professor on Israeli foreign policy from Bar Ilan University.
Meanwhile, Poland sees Israel as a close ally of the United States and a possible source of military support, as Poland needs the military aid regarding its concerns over Russia, Rynhold told Xinhua.
However, Israeli politicians' insistence on blaming Poles for cooperating with Nazis during the World War II can lead to destruction of Israeli foreign relations with Europe.
Although the Holocaust happened more than 70 years ago, it is still a sensitive issue, both in Israel and in Poland. Many survivors are still alive and remember the terrible moments of the period.
Israel is determined to highlight the memory of the victims and the genocide of 6 million Jews, half of them in Poland, saying it is a national trauma far away from healing.
According to Rynhold, Katz made the offensive remarks against Poland just for domestic reasons as such attacks could raise more support for him in the upcoming elections.
In recent years, the Israeli public became more likely to vote for right-wing politicians who appear more radical in ideology, which has prompted the politicians to be more outspoken while disregarding the long-term effect of their remarks.
