Israel summoned a top Polish diplomat today to express concerns over legislation Warsaw was advancing regarding the Holocaust and the definition of Nazi death camps.
Poland’s rightwing-dominated Parliament adopted legislation on Friday setting a maximum three-year jail term for anyone who accuses the Polish nation or state of complicity with Nazi crimes, or who refers to Nazi German death camps as being Polish.
The measure, intended to apply to both Poles and foreigners, must still pass the Senate before being signed by the President. The Foreign Ministry said the charge d’affaires for Poland’s embassy in Israel, Piotr Kozlowski, was summoned to for a “clarification” with senior officials. A statement of the said, Israel’s opposition to the wording of the bill was expressed to him. The timing of the bill — the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day — was particularly surprising and unfortunate.
Late on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Poland of seeking to deny history with the bill.
Polish officials routinely request corrections when global media or politicians describe as “Polish” former death camps such as Auschwitz set up by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland.
