The police investigate the circumstances of the attack on students from Israel that took place on Saturday in Warsaw. Four people are said to have been injured. "We're investigating it as a crime against nationality," the spokesperson for the Warsaw Police informed.
The incident took place on Saturday after 5 am. The police said a group of people, including the Israeli students, left the club at Twarda street. Three men approached the group.
"One of them acted very aggresively and attacked," said Sylwester Marczak, the spokesperson for the Warsaw Police Headquarters.
"Free Gaza" and "f**k Israel"
One of the attacked, Yotam Kashpizky, told Jerusalem Post that a group of aggresive men were shouting at the Israeli students "free Palestine", "free Gaza" and "f**k Israel".
"Current findings show, among other things, that the attacker mentioned a number of times that he was Palestinian, hence the inquiry is being carried out into crime against nationality," said the police spokesperson.
"The role of the other two men is unknown, however, it's very important to detain them and hear their account of the events," he added.
The police are looking for all three men.
CCTV will be crucial
The photos that went viral in social media show the victims' bruised faces covered in blood. The police informed that one of them had his jaw broken.
"In total, four people were injured in the incident. Two were taken to a hospital, but are already out. It's important to mention that we were only informed a few hours after the incident. The groups' tutor called the police," Marczak said.
He also reassured that the police had taken statements from the witnesses and secured the CCTV footage.
"It will certainly be crucial in the investigation. We treat as priority to detain the people who took part in the incident," he explained.
Ministry is aware
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that it had been notified about the incident and the consul in Warsaw was monitoring the situation.
"MFA strongly condemns any acts of aggression committed by (and against) foreigners in Poland. The case of attack on Israeli citizens by foreigners on the territory of Poland is investigated by the police. We oppose any forms of violence!" - Polish Foreign Ministry wrote on Sunday on Twitter.
#Poland MFA strongly condemns any acts of aggression committed by (and against) foreigners in Poland.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@PolandMFA) 8 września 2019
The case of attack on Israeli citizens by foreigners on the territory of Poland is investigated by the police.
We oppose any forms of violence! https://t.co/RO2wzSNSw4
Polish Ambassador to Israel, Marek Magierowski, also commented on the incident. "A despicable act of barbarism. There’s no justification for violence. I believe the perpetrators will be detained shortly. I wish Yotam and others a prompt recovery." - Magierowski wrote on Twitter.
A despicable act of barbarism. There’s no justification for violence. I believe the perpetrators will be detained shortly. I wish Yotam and others a prompt recovery. https://t.co/DEeGw7c849
— Marek Magierowski (@mmagierowski) 8 września 2019
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Shutterstock