Poles protest paying tribute to jews

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'No obligations': Polish nationalists march against Holocaust compensation law
https://www.rt.com/news/459102-poland-protest-holocaust-us/?utm_source=browser&utm_medium=aplication_chrome&utm_campaign=chrome

Hundreds of people marched to the US Embassy in Warsaw as part of a demonstration against US pressure on Poland to compensate Jews who lost property during the Holocaust. The rally has sparked accusations of anti-Semitism.

Nationalist and far-right backers gathered at Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki's office on Saturday, where they rallied against US legislation S. 447, also known as the Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act. It was signed into law last year and requires the State Department to monitor the restitution of property seized during the Holocaust in dozens of countries.

Morawiecki expressed support for the protesters, arguing that it was Poles who deserve to be compensated for Nazi crimes. The demonstrators, many holding signs and shouting slogans, then marched on the US Embassy in Warsaw.

People were seen carrying banners with slogans such as "Poland has no obligations" and shouting, "This is Poland, not Polin," using the Hebrew word for Poland.

Opponents of a compensation law insist that it would inflict serious damage on the country's economy, and claim that Poland itself has never been adequately compensated by Germany for Nazi crimes. Far-right groups claim that Act 447 could force Poland to pay upwards of US$300 billion in compensation.

The demonstration has been painted by many as openly anti-Semitic, with some even describing the event as one of the largest anti-Jewish gatherings in recent memory.

Rafal Pankowski, the head of anti-hate group Never Again, told AP that the rally was "probably the biggest openly anti-Jewish street demonstration in Europe in recent years."

The US State Department's new envoy on anti-Semitism, Elan Carr, was recently in Warsaw, where he emphasized that the US only wants Poland to fulfil a non-binding commitment it made in 2009 to take action on compensating Holocaust victims. He also stated that Washington recognizes Poland as a victim of Nazi occupation.

Right-wing groups have seen a surge in popularity in Poland, which continues to lock horns with the European Union on issues ranging from environmental protection to judicial reform.

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Poland cancels Israeli visit over WWII property restitution row after mass protests in Warsaw
https://www.rt.com/news/459191-poland-israeli-visit-jewish-restitution/?utm_source=browser&utm_medium=aplication_chrome&utm_campaign=chrome

Warsaw decided to cancel a visit by an Israeli delegation at the last minute after it emerged that Tel Aviv planned to raise the issue of returning Jewish property that was seized during World War II.

The delegation was due to arrive on Monday but the trip was called off because "the Israeli side made last-minute changes in the composition of the delegation suggesting that the talks would primarily focus on the issues related to property restitution," according to the Polish Foreign Ministry.

Warsaw maintains that the matter of property restitution has already been settled – a point of view apparently not shared by Tel Aviv and Washington.

On Saturday, thousands of people took to the streets of Warsaw to protest against US pressure on Poland to compensate Jews who lost assets during the Holocaust. American legislation known as the 447 law or the Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act requires the State Department to supervise the progress of countries including Poland on the restitution of Jewish properties seized during the Holocaust. Polish protesters against the legislation say it could ruin the country's economy.

Poland was once home to 3.3 million Jews, most of whom were murdered by Nazi Germany. Their properties were looted and later nationalized by the communist government.

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Poland summons Israeli envoy as it fumes over 'racist' spit attack on its Tel Aviv diplomat
https://www.rt.com/news/459402-poland-summons-israeli-ambassador-attack/?utm_source=browser&utm_medium=aplication_chrome&utm_campaign=chrome

The Polish Foreign Ministry has summoned the Israeli envoy after Warsaw's ambassador to Israel was spat on and insulted in Tel Aviv. The attack has aggravated already tense relations between Israel and Poland.

Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki condemned the incident yesterday on Twitter, describing the attack against the ambassador as "racist" and "xenophobic."

The attack took place in the middle of a public street in Tel Aviv. A 65-year-old man allegedly approached ambassador Marek Magierowski while he was sitting in a car, spat on him, and insulted him. The attacker was arrested the following day, and is currently under house arrest.

While Israeli officials were quick to follow up by expressing shock and sympathy, it seems Polish authorities aren't satisfied with their words. Poland's Foreign Ministry now wants to discuss the incident with Israel's ambassador directly.

Relations between the two countries have been deeply strained over a number of historical issues, in particular over Warsaw's controversial Holocaust law, passed at the beginning of last year, which prohibits faulting the Polish government for Nazi crimes during WWII.

Just a few days ago, Warsaw cancelled a scheduled visit by an Israeli delegation after it emerged that Israel planned to discuss the return of Jewish property seized during the war.