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US Rabbi Shmuley: world has right to inquire about Putin talks

09.04.2022 22:00
Renowned American rabbi Shmuley Boteach has spoken in support of Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, after Poland's PM criticised France’s President Emmanuel Macron for his talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin.
Emergency workers search the rubble of a destroyed apartment block in the city of Borodyanka near Kyiv, Ukraine, 09 April 2022.
Emergency workers search the rubble of a destroyed apartment block in the city of Borodyanka near Kyiv, Ukraine, 09 April 2022.Photo: EPA/OLEG PETRASYUK

Earlier this week, in an interview with the Le Parisien newspaper, Macron described Morawiecki as a "far-right anti-Semite who excludes LGBT people," according to the PAP news agency.

In response to the French President's remarks, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, an American author and public speaker, said in a Twitter post that "calling Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki an antisemite is an insult to decency," pointing out the large number of Ukrainian refugees Poland has welcomed.

"The world has a right to question what the negotiations with Putin have produced other than increased barbarism," his tweet reads.

Macron's statement came after Morawiecki on Monday called for "clear and determined sanctions" against Russia "in the wake of the Bucha massacre."

He at the time addressed Macron, saying: "Mr. President Macron, how many times have you negotiated with Putin and what have you achieved? Have you stopped any of the actions that had taken place?"

On Wednesday, the French president told the domestic TV network TF1 that Morawiecki’s comments were "baseless" and "outrageous, but not surprising."

Macron said in the interview that the Polish prime minister supported far-right candidate Marine Le Pen ahead of France's upcoming presidential election. Le Pen is Macron's main rival in his reelection bid.

On Friday, Poland's foreign ministry called in the French ambassador over Emmanuel Macron's comments.

(ał)

Source: PAP