New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is calling upon the International March of the Living to suspend its upcoming trip to Poland in light of that country’s recent denial of its role in the Holocaust. In a letter to Dr. Shmuel Rosenman, Chairman of the International March of the Living, Hikind expressed his enormous admiration for the unique, extraordinary educational program, but said that the program can make an even greater difference this year by suspending its trip.
“Seeing Poland’s government attempt to whitewash its role in the murder of innocent men, women and children via their despicable Holocaust Denial Law has had a chilling effect on all of us who understand what really occurred in Poland—both before, during and after the war,” said Hikind. “As the son of Holocaust survivors who lost their families in Auschwitz, I have the greatest admiration for the outstanding work done by the International March of the Living. I believe there’s a chance they can help undo the terrible injustice now occurring in Poland by suspending their upcoming march this April. As vital as their past trips have been, they are in a unique position to make an impact on Poland and especially the many young people who will know of their actions if the March of the Living suspends its trip this year.
“The new Polish law is bad enough,” Hikind continued. “Hearing Poland’s Prime Minister add insult to injury is bad enough. But most importantly, Jewish leaders in Poland have made it clear that they are fearful of new and mounting dangers in Poland, which now denies its history of official anti-Semitism. Not visiting the concentration camps where innocent souls were murdered by Nazis—many after being turned over by their Polish neighbors—will be a statement heard around the world. Holding back the 12,000 travelers who spend their money in Poland is a statement that will not be ignored. More, protecting future generations of innocent Jews is incumbent upon all of those who G-d empowers with the ability to make a difference.”
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2 Responses
I have a feeling that the Polish people are far enough removed from reality that they would be willing to forgo the tourist dollars instead of acquiescing to all the pressure from us Jews. I have been there several times in the past few years as a tourist and while i didn’t see any outright antisemitism, the feeling of hatred was in the air all around us wherever we went. Poland as a country is not one that relies on outside help these days. There is a very tough immigration policy in force when it comes to both Muslims and blacks. You don’t see any of “these” walking around at all. They will say that they can do without the Jews just the same.
Poland will not back down just because of the March of Living. In the end there will be a march without the Polish giving in and the anti-Semites will gloat over how the that won over the Jews. Stop fighting this. Produce a documentary on Polish barbarism and collusion with the Nazis instead of fighting this.