Statement of the Directors of POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews regarding the anti-Semitic demonstration in Wrocław on 18 November 2015

The directors and staff of POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews firmly condemn the demonstration organized on 18 November 2015 in Wrocław by Obóz Narodowo-Radykalny and Młodzież Wszechpolska associations. An effigy of an Orthodox Jew was burned during the event.

The burning of a symbolic figure of a Jew deserves to be opposed and condemned. It deserves nothing short of firm condemnation in a country that saw the murder of nearly 3 million of its Jewish citizens and hundreds of thousands of Jews brought in from other parts of Europe as part of the Nazi “final solution of the Jewish question” during World War II.

It should be firmly opposed particularly in Wrocław: it is in the German city of Breslau 77 years ago, during Kristallnacht (9 November 1938), that Nazi squads burnt down the New Synagogue and demolished nearly all Jewish stores. 

We expect law enforcement to take immediate action to identify and punish the perpetrators of an act we perceive as inciting to hatred on grounds of ethnic and religious difference. We also expect effective measures to be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

This shocking incident clearly demonstrates the need to do more in terms of education, combating anti-Semitism and instilling an attitude of respect towards those of different ethnicity and religion.