Hans-Christian Dahlmann: Die antisemitische Kampagne in Polen 1968

The Anti-Semitic Campaign in Poland, 1968

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-Day 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 ist 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.

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