- BIST10011,430-2.49%
- USD49.45+0.05%
- EUR55.62+0.37%
- GOLD4,166.90-0.34%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,818-0.24%
- October 19, 202616°
- BIST10011,430-2.49%
- USD49.45+0.05%
- EUR55.62+0.37%
- GOLD4,166.90-0.34%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,818-0.24%
- October 19, 202616°
Far-right groups protest memorial for 1941 massacre of Jews by Polish villagers
As the 85th anniversary of the Jedwabne massacre, in which some 300 Jews were burned alive in a barn by Polish villagers, was commemorated, far-right groups held a demonstration denying Polish responsibility.
The 85th anniversary of a massacre that took place during World War II in the Polish town of Jedwabne, and for which an official investigation confirmed the responsibility of Polish villagers, was commemorated. Political leaders, religious representatives and citizens attended the memorial ceremony, while far-right groups held a protest right next to the event.
According to AFP reporters, police took heavy security measures at the site where, in 1941, local Polish farmers locked some 300 Jews, including women and children, in a barn and burned them alive. On the same day, around 1,000 people joined demonstrations organized by far-right parties, which were combined with a Catholic mass. These groups refuse to accept the role of Poles in the massacre.
Participants carrying Israeli and EU flags at the memorial ceremony observed a moment of silence in front of the monument erected in 2001. Poland's Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich delivered a message of unity as protests continued outside, and led the reading of the names and professions of the Jews killed in Jedwabne.
Official investigation and historical debate
The official investigation completed in 2003 confirmed that the Jedwabne massacre was carried out not by Nazi German occupiers, but by Poles from Jedwabne. This finding contradicts some dominant historical narratives in the country and remains a subject of debate among far-right nationalist circles.
The protesters are demanding the resumption of the exhumation of the victims, which was halted in 2001 by the Jewish community on religious grounds. Elzbieta Rybarska, carrying a Polish flag, told AFP: 'As long as we don't know the truth, there will be divisions. If someone hadn't been afraid of the facts, the exhumation would have been done long ago.'
Among the organizers of the protest was the far-right Confederation of the Polish Crown party, led by Grzegorz Braun. Braun had previously disrupted a Jewish religious ceremony in the Polish parliament by spraying a fire extinguisher.
Around 40 more Jews in Jedwabne were killed by villagers in other ways outside the barn. Other massacres of Jews also took place in the region during the German occupation.
Messages of conscience and unity from leaders
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who did not attend the ceremony, said the anniversary of the massacre should be 'a lesson about national conscience.' Tusk said: 'I would like all Poles to take responsibility for the things we are proud of... But also to be able to take responsibility for the things that do not bring us honor.'
The Jedwabne massacre was brought back to public attention by Polish-American historian Jan T. Gross's 2001 book 'Neighbors,' and led then-President Aleksander Kwasniewski to formally apologize to the Jewish community.
Chief Rabbi Schudrich said in a statement after the ceremony: 'This has nothing to do with an attack on Polish identity. When you are honest with yourself, you can be much more honest about the future.'
In Poland, the epicenter of the Nazi genocide, thousands of Jews in the countryside were killed by Poles, while many others risked their lives to save Jews. More than 7,000 Poles have been recognized by Israel as 'Righteous Among the Nations,' more than any other nation.
Stay Updated with Hilal Times
Subscribe to be informed about special news, developments and announcements. We will keep you informed.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy
