Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski thanked the Israeli Embassy for its firm response to Maccabi Jaffa fans who, during a match in Hungary, displayed a banner reading “Murderers since 1939” and desecrated the Polish flag.
Foreign Minister Thanks Israeli Embassy
Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski publicly thanked the Israeli Embassy for its swift reaction to the misconduct of Maccabi Jaffa supporters during the match against Rakow Częstochowa held in Debreczin, Hungary. The supporters had hoisted an English banner reading “Murderers since 1939” and vandalized the Polish flag.
In a post on X, Sikorski stated, “It is good that the Israeli Embassy in Poland responded to this shocking banner. I hope that Israeli youth are taught that in 1939 it was the Hitler regime that invaded Poland and began to murder its citizens of all faiths and nationalities.”
Embassy Condemns Israeli Fans’ Conduct
The Israeli Embassy in Poland condemned the hateful actions of a subset of Maccabi Jaffa fans. “There is no place for such words and actions, neither at the stadium nor elsewhere. These vile incidents do not reflect the spirit of the majority of Israeli supporters,” the embassy wrote on X.
President and Defense Minister React
Polish President Andrzej Duda condemned the banner, calling it an insult to the memory of Polish citizens who were victims of World War II, including the three million Jews. He described the act as “idiocy that cannot be explained by words.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz also deemed the fans’ behavior “absolutely scandalous” towards Poland and its people. He stressed the necessity of a clear response from UEFA, asserting that “there will be no tolerance for historical falsehoods towards our nation.”
Federation President Cezary Kulesza announced an intervention to UEFA, insisting that “there is no allowance for provocation and historical falsification. We will urgently appeal to UEFA to adopt a position and impose consequences for the scandalous banner and the offensive conduct displayed in the stands.”
