Bilateral ties were severely damaged last year after Warsaw passed law effectively preventing restitution to the heirs of property seized by the Nazis.

(July 4, 2022 / JNS) Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda agreed on Monday to move towards restoring full bilateral ties, according to a statement released by Herzog’s office.

Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply last year after the Polish parliament passed legislation effectively prohibiting any future restitution to the heirs of property seized by the Nazis during the World War II.

During Monday’s telephone conversation between the two leaders, Duda appeared to heed Herzog’s call for a return of ambassadors by confirming that Warsaw would appoint a new envoy to Israel soon, according to the statement.

Duda also announced that the new Israeli ambassador-designate to Poland would present his credentials within the next few days.

“Both presidents expressed their hope that any future issues between Poland and Israel will be solved through sincere and open dialogue and in a spirit of mutual respect,” the statement said.