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Associated Press

Thousands of Polish nationalists marched to the US embassy in Warsaw on Saturday, protesting that the US is putting pressure on Poland to compensate Jews whose families lost property during the Holocaust.
The protesters, who included far-right groups and their supporters, said the United States has no right to interfere in Polish affairs and the US government is putting “Jewish interests” over the interests of Poland.

Poland was a major victim of Germany during the second world war and those protesting said it is not fair to ask Poland to compensate Jewish victims when Poland has never received adequate compensation from Berlin.
“Why should we have to pay money today when nobody gives us anything?” said 22-year-old Kamil Wencwel. “Americans only think about Jewish and not Polish interests.”
The protesters shouted “No to claims!” and “This is Poland, not Polin,” using the Hebrew word for Poland.
One couple wore matching T-shirts reading “Death to the enemies of the fatherland,” while another man wore a shirt saying: “I will not apologise for Jedwabne” – a massacre of Jews by their Polish neighbours in 1941 during the German occupation.

Among those far-right politicians who led the march were Janusz Korwin-Mikke and Grzegorz Braun, who have joined forces in a far-right coalition standing in the elections to the European Parliament later this month. Stopping Jewish restitution claims has been one of their key priorities, along with fighting what they call pro-LGBT “propaganda”. The movement is polling well with young Polish men.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki echoed the feelings of the protesters at a campaign rally on Saturday, saying it is Poles who deserve compensation.
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Poland was the heartland of European Jewish life before the Holocaust, with most of the Polish Jews killed by occupying Nazi forces. Christian Poles were also targeted by the Germans, killed in massacres and in concentration camps.
Many Poles to this day have a feeling their suffering has not been adequately acknowledged by the world, while that of Jewish suffering in the Holocaust has, creating what has often been called a “competition of victimhood”.

Many of the properties of both Jews and non-Jews were destroyed during the war or were looted and later nationalised by the communist government that followed.
The protests in Warsaw targeted US law S. 447 known as the Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (or JUST) Act. It was signed into law by President Donald Trump last year and requires the State Department to report to Congress on the state of restitution of property stolen in the Holocaust in dozens of countries.
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Protesters said paying compensation would ruin Poland’s economy.
Jewish organisations have been seeking compensation for Holocaust survivors and their families, considering compensation a matter of justice.
Saturday’s protest began with a rally in front of the prime minister’s office before the protesters walked to the US embassy.

Men in Native American headdress held a banner with a message pointing to what they see as US double standards: “USA, Practice 447 at home. Return stolen lands to the descendants of native tribes.”
The US State Department’s envoy on anti-Semitism, Elan Carr, was in Warsaw last week. He said the US recognises that Poland was a victim of the war and is not dictating how Warsaw regulates compensation.


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Poland

Thousands in Poland protest against US Holocaust compensation law

The protest against compensating Jews for property lost during the second world war in Warsaw on Saturday. Photo: AP

Thousands of Polish nationalists march to the U.S. Embassy, in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, May 11, 2019. Thousands of Polish nationalists have marched to the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, protesting that the U.S. is putting pressure on Poland to compensate Jews whose families lost property during the Holocaust. The protesters included far-right groups and their supporters. They said the United States has no right to interfere in Polish affairs and that the U.S. government is putting "Jewish interests" over the interests of Poland. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

People take part in far right protest against the U.S. Senate's decision to accept a law that allows Jewish people to claim compensation for property lost during WW2 in Warsaw, Poland, May 11, 2019. Agencja Gazeta/Maciej Jazwiecki via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. POLAND OUT.

The protest against compensating Jews for property lost during the second world war in Warsaw on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

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Protesters, who included far-right groups, said US government is putting ‘Jewish interests’ over the interests of Poland


Protesters, who included far-right groups, said US government is putting ‘Jewish interests’ over the interests of Poland.


United States

Donald Trump

Thousands in Poland protest against US Holocaust compensation law

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Protesters, who included far-right groups, said US government is putting ‘Jewish interests’ over the interests of Poland

Protesters, who included far-right groups, said US government is putting ‘Jewish interests’ over the interests of Poland