PiS has been accused of pandering to nationalists and the far-right through xenophobic language and tailoring its message to appeal to a spectrum of right-wing voters. A number of Poles risked their lives to help hide Jews, according to the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.Ĭritics have accused the right-wing government of using the issue to bolster political support. The Germans killed about 1.9 million non-Jewish civilians and about three million Jews during the occupation of Poland, according to the U.S.

Poland was attacked and occupied in 1939 by Nazi Germany, which led to the building of concentration camps, including Treblinka and Auschwitz, that were operated by the Germans. State Department also warned Polish lawmakers against passing the bill, saying it could have “repercussion” on the country’s “strategic interests and relationships, including with the United States.” What does the historical record say? The bill was passed despite assurances from Poland that there would be a dialogue with Israel before the vote took place. “The legislation will not help further the exposure of historical truth and may harm freedom of research, as well as prevent discussion of the historical message and legacy of World War II,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Many in Israel call it an attempt to whitewash the role some Poles had in the detention and killing of around three million Polish Jews during World War II. 26, on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day. The bill sparked outrage in Israel after it passed through Poland’s parliament on Jan. Why has the proposed law become a diplomatic incident?

Just act holocaust