The Anti-Semitic Campaign in Poland, 1968.

Abstract

The article provides an overview of the literature that has been published in Poland since 1989 dealing with the anti-Semitic campaign in 1968. After the Six-Days War in 1967 Polish Jews were accused of being a fifth column for Israel; later they were blamed for the student protest against the regime in March 1968. A massive propaganda campaign with slogans like “Down with Zionism!” took place in the media, aided by mass rallies in firms and in numerous party meetings. The rallies were organised by party functionaries at the middle and lower level. At party meetings the topic was heatedly debated. Hence the campaign was not only directed by high-ranking officials, but saw the participation of many parts of society. As a result of the atmosphere generated by the campaign, between 13,000 and 15,000 people of Jewish origin left the country and lost their citizenship. The campaign, which took place against the background of internal party conflicts, was a means of manipulating the student democracy movement by channelling its social frustrations at the expense of a minority. It was also an attempt to open the Party to the nationalist camp. At the same time a young party elite began to move up in positions, which were now vacant by “purge” and emigration.