Joint Statement Condemning the Polish Parliamentarian Grzegorz Braun

Joint Statement of POLIN Museum and Association of the Jewish Historical Institute of Poland Condemning the Polish parliamentarian Grzegorz Braun

On May 30, 2023, MP Grzegorz Braun, and his supporters, breaking the law, using violence and verbal aggression, interrupted Professor Jan Grabowski's lecture on the history of the Holocaust organized at the German Historical Institute Warsaw, an institution with unquestionable merits for Polish-German dialogue and reconciliation.

The MP's behavior brings to mind the darkest years of the interwar period, when far-right politicians openly built their political capital on intolerance, chauvinism, and anti-Semitism. Mr. Braun is also counting on publicity.

Unfortunately, this event is another proof that Holocaust researchers in Poland are subjected to constant and unacceptable pressure. There is nothing wrong with polemics, sometimes fierce, and disputes about the past. Professor Grabowski has international authority and recognition - this does not mean that his academic activity - like any researcher in any field - cannot be the subject of criticism. But violence in a civilized country can never be accepted, it cannot be ignored. We all know the consequences of indifference.

As representatives of the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute of Poland, we strongly protest against the conduct of MP Braun and call on all parliamentary groups to publicly condemn his behavior and punish him in accordance with the regulations of the Polish Sejm. We appeal to all politicians to avoid cynical use of history, especially those the most painful for the Jewish community. We ask the state services to effectively put a stop to all excesses, which culminate in violence and suffering of innocent people.

Parliamentary immunity cannot be an excuse to do evil.

Joint Statement of POLIN Museum and Association of the Jewish Historical Institute of Poland