Polish foreign minister warns against rising racism and antisemitism
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has warned against what he described as a growing campaign of racism and antisemitism in the country, fuelled by anti-immigrant sentiment.
Poland’s foreign minister Radosław Sikorski at a press conference in Warsaw, June 26, 2025.Photo: PAP/Marcin Obara
„There is no permission for a rising campaign of racism and the antisemitism it fuels,” Sikorski said in a video message posted on the social media platform X.
He referred to an incident in the eastern city of Zamość, where foreign artists participating in the long-running Eurofolk festival were reportedly subjected to verbal abuse. Local authorities received complaints referring to a „refugee invasion.”
Sikorski said this was not an isolated case. He also referred to the 84th anniversary of the Jedwabne massacre, where he said stones were placed near the memorial with inscriptions suggesting Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland „enjoyed autonomy” and „lived in symbiosis with Germans.”
In Warsaw, Sikorski criticised far-right MEP Grzegorz Braun, who has questioned the existence of gas chambers in Auschwitz.
„Pilecki did not volunteer for Auschwitz so that someone could later deny his report for political gain,” he said, referring to Polish resistance fighter Witold Pilecki.
Sikorski said Poland had the right to control its borders and verify the legal status of foreigners but stressed this should not lead to hatred.
„As foreign minister, I am responsible for Poland’s image. History shows that racial hatred can lead to tragedy,” he said.
„Anti-immigrant hysteria harms Poland, fuels dangerous sentiments, and Holocaust denial excludes us from the community of civilised nations,” Sikorski said.
„Poles are better than those who spread hatred. I appeal for restraint,” he added.
(ał)
Source: PAP
