PM Netanyahu postpones Poland trip

Netanyahu cited the ongoing housing problem in Israel as the reason for cancelling the trip to Poland and Hungary, stressing his need to “focus on the adoption of laws designed to reform the housing system.”

Mass protests are currently taking place in Israel, with many claiming that even with good jobs, they cannot afford the high rents.

Netanyahu had originally suggested coming to Poland in late June, but the dates he suggested clashed with the Corpus Christi holiday.

The Israeli PM was to travel to Warsaw and Budapest as part of his lobbying of EU countries against supporting a Palestinian Authority bid for statehood at the UN in September.

Poland sees itself as one of Israel's strongest allies in the EU. In February this year, Prime Minister Tusk was in Jerusalem declaring that Israel “can always count on Poland.”

Nevertheless, from Israel's point of view, the EU has not declared a clear policy on the current Palestinian bid.

Prime Minister Netanyahu now hopes to carry out his Polish trip in August. (nh/pg)