Polityka has halted its collaboration with columnist Jan Hartman after the editor mistakenly claimed one of his bi‑weekly pieces was never published and after Hartman’s incendiary social‑media post about Israeli actions toward the Gaza humanitarian flotilla.
Columnist Claims His Piece Was Never Published
Jan Hartman told “Press” that Polityka had never released his bi‑weekly column last week, a claim he says the magazine’s editor mistakenly made. He also stated that he no longer receives assignment offers for the online publication and that no senior editor had contacted him about the alleged suspension. Hartman learned of the rupture from unofficial sources.
Harsh Social‑Media Post Sparks Outrage
Three weeks earlier, Hartman posted on social media condemning the Israeli seizure of the Sumud humanitarian flotilla as a “propaganda action of the Nazi‑style terrorist organization Hamas.” He wished the participants, including Polish citizens, imprisonment in an Israeli prison on the Negev desert. The post sparked widespread anger and was quickly removed by the platform.
Polityka Releases Statement Denouncing the Comments
The magazine issued a statement distancing itself from Hartman’s remarks, stating it “rejects and condemns such comments, even when made by a contributor.” It added that it has no tolerance for personal attacks or calls for violence against politicians or humanitarian participants and reiterated its values of respectful discourse.
Israeli Navy Seizes Sumud Flotilla
Earlier this month, the Israeli Navy intercepted the Sumud flotilla, a group of over 400 volunteers from 47 countries heading to the Gaza Strip. The seizure occurred in international waters about 80 nautical miles off the coast. Among those aboard were members of the Polish delegation, including MP Franciszek Sterczewski, Omar Faris, Nina Ptak, and journalist Ewa Jasiewicz.
