Polski Tel Awiw. Refleksje na kanwie najnowszych badań nad historią miast i regionów Izraela

Abstract

The title phrase “Polish Tel Aviv” can be understood in two ways. It is about the contribution of Polish Jews to the construction of that city and their relations with that city, as well as the presence of Poles there in various historical periods. Polish Jews contributed significantly to the development of the city, playing the role of its architects, creating there institutions of science and culture, etc. Poles distinguished themselves in its history mainly as pilgrims and tourists. During World War II, thousands of Polish soldiers led by General Władysław Anders and accompanying civilians appeared there. It was then that Tel Aviv and the entire Land of Israel transformed for a certain period of time into one of the most important centres of Polish emigration life in the world. At that time, Polish military, social, welfare, school, cultural and publishing institutions, etc. appeared in large numbers there. After World War II, Polish Jews who came to Israel developed the Polish cultural life wonderfully. The severance of diplomatic relations with Israel by the communist authorities of Poland in 1967 caused serious damage to mutual relations. They were re-established in 1990. Political considerations, as well as generational transformations, determine that in the following years there were significant transformations in the scope of the issues discussed here. For example, economic affairs began to play a greater role.