by tskzThe statement issued by Jewish organisations in connection with the exploitation of the most tragic events in the European history for the purpose of the ongoing political campaign.
We, as the representatives of Jewish organisations, express our objection to the use of the most tragic pages of European history and, in particular, of the Holocaust in connection with the ongoing political campaign.
We urge all parliamentary groups to condemn such behaviours in public. We ask all politicians to refrain from using history in an instrumental way. We appeal to all state agencies to effectively curb all similar behaviours, which are based on either explicit, or covert anti-Semitism and ultimately bring about nothing but violence and suffering.
In the recent days, we have been witnessing an unprecedented exploitation of the deaths of millions of Jews by various actors on the political scene in their ongoing political battles. Such exploitation has taken a variety of forms: starting with “innocent” tweets, through press articles, political spots, up to verbal and physical attacks by members of the Polish Parliament on professors dealing with the subject of the Holocaust. The behaviour of actors on the Polish political scene brings us to mind the most sinister images known from the interwar period, when far-right politicians used to build their political capital upon intolerance, chauvinism and anti-Semitism.
All these types of behaviour only confirm the thesis that the level of knowledge about the Holocaust in Poland is still poor and insufficient. We share an opinion that it is necessary to conduct independent studies of the Holocaust in Poland, in order to create a solid basis for discussions and disputes. There is nothing wrong with disputes, as long as all interlocutors are duly respected, and the disputes are based on facts, rather than emotions.
Political struggle should never serve as an excuse for disrespecting the memory of the millions of victims of the Second World War.
Association of the Jewish Historical Institute of Poland
Association of Children of the Holocaust” in Poland
Association of Jewish War Veterans and Victims of the Second World War
Association of the Second Generation – Descendants of the Holocaust Survivors
Chief Rabbi of Poland Michael Schudrich
Union of Jewish Religious Communities in the Republic of Poland
Jewish Religious Community of Warsaw
POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
Czulent Jewish Association
Puszke Foundation
Makabi Warsaw Jewish Gymnastics and Sports Association
Lauder-Morasha Schools
Professor Moses Schorr Foundation
B’nai B’rith Jewish Association in Poland
Jewish Community Centre in Warsaw
American Jewish Committee Central Europe
Hillel Polska Foundation
Taube Center for Jewish Life & Learning
Jewish Religious Community of Gdansk
Jewish Life Foundation
Social and Cultural Association of Jews in Poland
Zuzanna Ginczanka Private Secondary School
Jewish Community Centre in Cracow
