Protests follow Jedwabne monument anti-Semitic attack
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
05.09.2011 06:30
A march of unity in protest against recent acts of nationalist-inspired vandalism and arson in north-eastern Poland was held in Bialystok, the province capital, on Sunday.
photo - PAP/artur Reszko
Clean up after attack on Jedwabne monument; photo PAP/Artur Reszko
Late last week anti-Semitic graffiti was daubed on a monument in memory of Jews murdered by Poles in the small village of Jedwabne in 1941.
The incident last week, condemned by all main political parties in Poland and by Israel, followed neo-Nazi slogans being painted on the Jewish synagogue in the village of Orla, the destruction of property at the Islamic Center in Bialystok, the setting fire to a house of a Polish-Pakistani couple and the covering up with paint of signs in the Lithuanian language in the locality of Punsk, near the Lithuanian border.
"Let's put a stop to this mindless hatred," a statement by the march's organiser says.
The march was attended by former foreign minister of Poland Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz.
Police suspect all the acts of vandalism are related.
The Jewish Religious Community in Warsaw organized a meeting with residents in the town of Jedwabne, Sunday following the attacks.
Community leader Piotr Kadlcik says his organization is hoping for a common condemnation and an open discussion on the extent of nationalist sentiment in the region.
An invitation has been sent to the mayor and all school principals in Jedwabne. (ss/pg)