The President of Israel at UW

On April 17, 2008 the University of Warsaw hosted Shimon Peres, the President of Israel. President Peres took part in the 12th "Tischner Debate", organized by UW's Erasmus of Rotterdam Department and the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna.

Also participating in the debate entitled "Democracy at war" was Professor Ewa Łętowska, a Constitutional Tribunal justice, and Professor Wiktor Osiatyński. The debate concerned the difficult choices faced by heads of democratic states in the struggle against terrorism and religious radicalism. President Peres explained the lack of peace between Israel and Palestine in terms of Hamas's refusal to seek peace: "Whereas politicians are ready to make compromise, religious fanatics refuse to agree to the slightest concessions". The President also emphasized that a democracy should never launch war, but if attacked, it must defend itself. "But even during war it need be remembered that the enemy has rights", he added. The meeting at the University of Warsaw was part of President Peres' official visit in Poland.