On Monday, the head of the Israeli Jad Waszem Institute clarified its account of Poland’s wartime role in reply to criticism from Polish officials after the institute’s post claiming Poland first mandated Jewish armbands.
Controversial X Post
The institute posted on X that Poland was the first country where Jews were ordered to wear armbands, but the post omitted that the order was imposed by German authorities during occupation.
Institute Head’s Clarification
On Monday, Dani Dayan reaffirmed that Poland was indeed under German occupation and that this fact is clearly reflected in the institute’s material. He added that the decision to enforce armbands was made by German authorities.
Polish Government Response
Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized the institute as a propaganda tool and suggested the author had malicious intent. Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski called on the Israeli ambassador in Poland to respond to the allegations.
Institute’s Holocaust Mission
Jad Waszem focuses on preserving the memory of Holocaust victims and awards the title of Righteous Among the Nations to those who rescued Jews. Poles are the largest nationality among recipients, though some faced execution under German occupation.
