Poland’s Foreign Ministry summoned Israel’s ambassador after a controversial Instagram post by vice‑premier Radosław Sikorski claimed the country was the first to force Jews to wear an identification badge.
Diplomatic Meeting Ends on Mutual Understanding
Spokesperson Maciej Wewiór reported that the meeting with Israel’s ambassador was positive, describing it as “very good” and “full of understanding.” Wewiór said apologies were not expected, but a change to the Instagram entry was.
Instagram Post Triggers Summons
Vice‑premier Radosław Sikorski posted on the Jad‑Waszem Instagram account: “Poland was the first country in which Jews were forced to wear a distinctive badge.” The statement prompted the summons of the Israeli envoy.
Jad‑Waszem’s Defense
Wewiór clarified that the ambassador is not responsible for the Jad‑Waszem account. He stressed that all Poles agree the claim should not have appeared and called for broader education about historical facts.
Content of the Instagram Post
The original entry read: “Poland was the first country where Jews were forced to wear a distinctive badge to differentiate them from the surrounding population.” It added that on 23 November 1939 Hans Frank issued an order that all Jews aged 10 and older wear a white 10‑cm wide strip marked with a blue Star of David on the right shoulder.
Omission of Historical Context
The post omitted that Poland was occupied by Nazi Germany at the time, a fact critics argue misrepresents the situation.