Poles, Jews, and Post-Communist Insecurities

Poles, Jews, and Post-Communist Insecurities By David Ost Tikkun; May/June 2003 Vol. 18 Issue 3, p70, 7p Contents 1. !evealin" #n$ounte% &it' an #ne(y 2. Jed&a)ne 3. On !esponsi)ility *. +'y Isn,t It -'o$.in"/ 0'e di11i$ult and 1as$inatin" de)ate "oin" on in 2oland %e$ently a)out a 13*1 (assa$%e o1 Je&s, and (o%e "ene%ally a)out t'e 2olis' %ole in t'e dest%u$tion o1 2olis' Je&%y, 1its into a (o%e "ene%al $li(ate o1 un$e%tainty $u%%ently %a$.in" t'e $ount%y. 4n$e%tainty, o1 $ou%se, &as supposed to )e pass5 0'e $ount%y e6pe%ien$ed it a de$ade a"o, a1te% its old syste( $ollapsed, )ut no& t'in"s &e%e supposed to )e )e$o(in" 7no%(al.7 #$ono(i$ "%o&t', 80O, soon t'e #49 t'e old de(ons &e%e supposed to 'ave )een ta(ed, and t'e 1utu%e &as supposed to loo. li.e it does else&'e%e in #u%ope. s it 'appens, 'o&eve%, t'e last 1e& yea%s 'ave seen a nu()e% o1 t'in"s pun$tu%in" 'oles in t'is idylli$ pi$tu%e. :i%st, a1te% seve%al yea%s o1 e$ono(i$ "%o&t' and %edu$ed une(ploy(ent, t'e past t'%ee yea%s 'ave seen a (a;o% slu(p, &it' une(ploy(ent ;u(pin" nea%ly )y 'al1 in a sin"le yea% <1%o( 10.= pe%$ent in 1338 to 1>.3 pe%$ent in 1333?, )y 2002 %ea$'in" a post@1383 'i"' o1 18 pe%$ent. $$o%din" to national su%veys, eve%y 1ou%t' 1a(ily 'as at least one pe%son out o1 &o%.. :o%ty pe%$ent o1 all %esidents o1 s(all $ities say t'ey 1ea% losin" t'ei% ;o)s <2olity.a, May 2=, 2001?. nd &'ile si(ila% 1ea%s &e%e p%evalent a de$ade a"o, t'ose &e%e al&ays (olli1ied )y a )elie1 t'at ;o)s lost in t'e pu)li$ se$to% &ould lead to )ette% ones in t'e p%ivate se$to%. 0oday, as p%ivate 1i%(s $ont%a$t, 1e& )elieve t'at any(o%e. :o%ty pe%$ent o1 all t'e $ount%y,s s.illed &o%.e%s say t'ey 1ea% une(ploy(ent, &'i$', i1 you su)t%a$t t'ose in t'e )i" $ities, &'e%e une(ploy(ent is still lo&, t%anslates into pe%'aps t&o@t'i%ds o1 s.illed &o%.e%s in t'e 'ea%tland. 0'e (u$' la%"e% %e$ession in t'e ea%ly 1330s at least (ade sense as t'e p%i$e to )e paid 1o% t'e $ollapse o1 Ao((unis(, and $ould sa1ely )e )la(ed on t'e past. Ma.in" sense o1 t'is one, 'o&eve%, is a lot 'a%de% 1o% (ost $itiBens, and t'e politi$al 1allout is not p%etty. :o% alon" &it' t'is e$ono(i$ slide, t'e do(esti$ politi$al s$ene 'as 1allen apa%t. 0'e "ove%nin" pa%ty 1%o( 1337@2001, -olida%ity #le$to%al $tion <-#?, 'as disinte"%ated into seve%al s(alle% "%oups, &it' t'e (ain %u(p o%"aniBation 1ailin" to "ain enou"' votes to ente% pa%lia(ent. Vote%s in 2001 (ade t'e e6@$o((unist De(o$%ati$ Ce1t llian$e <DC? t'e ne& do(inant pa%ty, &'ile nea%ly 20 pe%$ent o1 t'e vote &ent to pa%ties t'at e6pli$itly %e;e$t t'e post@1383 de(o$%ati$ $onsensus, in$ludin" one, t'e Cea"ue o1 2olis' :a(ilies, &it' a p%o(inent anti@-e(iti$ p%o1ile. +it' t'e DC una)le to ste( t'e e$ono(i$ do&ntu%n, a ne& (ainst%ea( is $oales$in" a%ound %i"'t &in" 7la& and o%de%7 1o%(e% -olida%ity a$tivist Ce$' Da$Byns.i, du))ed 7t'e 2olis' Eiuliani7 1o% ove%seein" a *0 pe%$ent %ise in t'e p%ison population &'ile Ministe% o1 Justi$e 1%o( 1333@2001. +it' 'is ne&ly@1o%(ed 7Ca& and Justi$e7 pa%ty, Da$Byns.i &on a $%us'in" vi$to%y in t'e 2002 +a%sa& (ayo%al ele$tion and is no& t'e 1%ont@%unne% 1o% t'e 200> p%esidential %a$e. Mean&'ile, t'e inte%national s$ene doesn,t p%o(ise (u$' )ette% 1o% 2oland,s poo%. #nt%y into 80O "ave t'e $ount%y a $e%tain p%esti"e, )ut 'as not p%odu$ed t'e )oon to t'e ailin" )ut still la%"e de1ense indust%ies, situated in t'e poo%e% %e"ions, t'at (any 'ad 'oped &ould 1ollo&. 8o% is t'e%e no& (u$' 'ope $onne$ted &it' t'e #4. 0ou"' $onditions i(posed )y +est #u%ope (ean t'at 2oland,s s$'eduled a$$ession in 200* &ill only in$%ease une(ploy(ent. nd t'e #4,s announ$e(ent t'at it &ill (aintain &o%. %est%i$tions on #ast #u%opeans even a1te%&a%ds (a.es t'e situation &o%se. One )%i"'t spot in t'e national pi$tu%e is t'e %ee(e%"en$e o1 t'e t%ade unions, &'ose love a11ai% &it' t'e i(a"ina%y 1%ee (a%.et is 1inally $o(in" to a $lose. 0'e %eality o1 a %e$ession t'at $annot )e )la(ed on Ao((unis( 'as )e"un to $%eate a(on" &o%.e%s an a&a%eness o1 t'ei% o&n inte%ests. 0'us, unions 'ave %e$ently spo.en out &it' unusual 1o%$e a"ainst p%oposed %evisions in t'e la)o% $ode t'at &ould lo&e% (andato%y ove%ti(e pay and (a.e it easie% to 1i%e e(ployees. +'at e(ploye%s p%esent as (easu%es to 1a$ilitate (o%e 'i%in", &o%.e%s 1ea% as p%ovisions to 1a$ilitate easie% 1i%in". I1 t'is envi%on(ent o1 e$ono(i$ un$e%tainty 'as one "ood e11e$t, it is t'at a lan"ua"e o1 $lass is )e"innin" to ente% t'e unions, %epe%toi%e. -o &'ile t'e 8e& Fo%. 0i(es and t'e #$ono(ist %e"ula%ly sin"le out 2oland as t'e )ea$on o1 li"'t in a sea o1 t%ou)le, t'in"s loo. a )it di11e%ently inside. 0'is 1i%st %e$ession $aused not )y Ao((unis( )ut )y $apitalis( 'as in;e$ted an au%a o1 inse$u%ity. 8ot su%p%isin", t'en, t'at all t'e t'e(es o1 t'e day a%e a)out %ep%ession. !evealin" #n$ounte% &it' an #ne(y :o% t'ose &'o don,t, $an,t, o% &on,t $'allen"e t'is inse$u%ity )y "ettin" involved in de(o$%ati$ $ivi$ a$tivity li.e t%ade unions, anti@-e(itis( $ontinues to )e availa)le as an alte%nate na%%ative e6plainin" &'y t'in"s 'ave "one &%on". !ea$tions to t'e sto%y o1 Jed&a)ne ste( in pa%t 1%o( t'at sa(e "ene%al sense o1 inse$u%ity d%ivin" penal $ode %evision, union "%o&t', and de(ands 1o% la&@and@o%de%. It is $e%tainly Jed&a)ne, (o%e t'an p%isons o% %etail (e"a@(a%.ets <site o1 ne& union o%"aniBation?, t'at 'as )een t'e topi$ o1 de)ate in t'e 2olis' p%ess sin$e 2000. nd Jed&a)ne (eans Je&s. Mo%e p%e$isely, 2oles and Je&s. O% even (o%e p%e$isely, &'at e6a$tly did 2olis' Aat'oli$s do to 2olis' Je&s in t'e s(all no%t'east to&n o1 Jed&a)ne in July 13*17 0'e sto%y $a(e to li"'t %e$ently in Jan E%oss,s )oo. 8ei"')o%s <2%in$eton 4nive%sity 2%ess, 2001?, pu)lis'ed to "%eat 1an1a%e in 2000 in 2oland, and (u$' lesse% 1an1a%e one yea% late% in (e%i$a. Based $'ie1ly on eye&itness a$$ounts o1 )ot' su%vivo%s and pe%pet%ato%s <t'e latte% ta.en 1%o( t%ial testi(ony in 13*3 and 13>3?, E%oss tells 'o& t'e usual sto%y o1 t'e slau"'te% o1 t'e Je&s )y t'e 8aBis is &%on" 'e%e in one $%u$ial %e"a%d9 it &as not t'e Ee%(ans t'at did it )ut 2oles. O%dina%y 2oles, 'e says, %e"ula% to&ns1ol.. 0'e %ea$tion to t'ese %evelations $onveys a %at'e% (i6ed pi$tu%e o1 $onte(po%a%y 2oland. On t'e one 'and, t'e a)ility o1 t'e $ount%y to ta$.le one o1 its national ta)oos in a &ide@%an"in" and on"oin" national de)ate si"nals a (atu%ity and sel1@$on1iden$e t'at 'as )een la$.in" in t'e past. On t'e ot'e% 'and, t'e de)ate %eveals so (any o1 t'e inse$u%ities o1 (o%e (a%"inaliBed 2olis' $itiBens, &'o t%eat E%oss,s a$$ount as vi$ti(iBation o1 t'e do&nt%odden. I 1i%st "ot a sense o1 t'e %elations'ip )et&een anti@-e(itis( and inse$u%ity du%in" a visit to D%a.o& in 1333. In a )uildin" ad;a$ent to t'e ne& 'otel &'e%e I &as stayin", I sa& a ne& )oo.sto%e in a )ase(ent apa%t(ent, its titles visi)le only t'%ou"' a s(all &indo& 'u""in" t'e side&al.. Int%i"ued )y t'e lo$ation in a %esidential )uildin" and t'e odd s(all@p%ess pa(p'lets I sa& displayed, I p%essed t'e )uBBe% and &as )uBBed inside. #6pe$tin" a 1un.y ana%$'ist )oo.sto%e, I 1ound instead a dou% anti@-e(iti$ one9 t&o dou)le@sided %o&s o1 )oo.s %evilin" Je&s 1o% alle"ed anti@2olis' a$tivities, $o%ne%s 1illed &it' pa(p'lets 1%o( o)s$u%e nationalist o%"aniBations, &alls $ove%ed &it' poste%s e6'o%tin" listene%s to tune in to t'e 1unda(entalist 7!adio Ma%ia7 %adio station and to 'elp 1%ee Eene%al 2ino$'et 1%o( 'ouse a%%est, all &at$'ed ove% )y t'%ee "%i(@1a$ed (iddle@a"ed 2oles. 0'e ana%$'ist loo. o1 t'e pla$e &as an indi$ation o1 t'e sto%e,s so$ial (a%"inaliBation, not t'e li1e@style o1 its p%op%ieto%s. I loo.ed a%ound and 1elt su$' %evulsion t'at I Gui$.ly le1t, only to %etu%n ten (inutes late% &it' t'e $onvi$tion t'at I 'ad to tal. &it' t'ese people and 1ind out &'y t'ey did &'at t'ey did. 7Fou sa& so(et'in" inte%estin" 'e%e/7 as.ed t'e (ana"e% &'en 'e sa& (e %e@ente%. 70'e e6a$t opposite a$tually,7 I %eplied. 7I don,t li.e t'ese )oo.s at all.7 He%e I sta((e%ed, )ut $ontinued. 7I a( a Je&, and I 1ind it un)elieva)le you 'ave a )oo.sto%e li.e t'is. -o tell (e, )e$ause t'is I $an,t 1i"u%e out, &'at e6a$tly 'ave Je&s done to you/ +'y do you 'ate Je&s so (u$'/7 My inte%lo$uto% )e"an to s&eat al(ost at on$e, )ut 'e didn,t lose a )eat in %eplyin"9 7But &'y do Je&s 'ate us so (u$'/7 He%e 'e sta((e%ed, )ut $ontinued. 7It,s not &e &'o 'ate t'e(, )ut t'ey &'o 'ate usI 0'ey plot a"ainst us, t%ied to ta.e ou% land, and t'en sold us to t'e !ussians.7 He %an to t'e s'el1 to "%a) a )oo. listin" t'e Je&is' na(es o1 doBens o1 -talinist se$%et poli$e(en, and put it in (y 1a$e &it' t'e si(ple $o((and, 7Coo..7 But t'en 'e said, su%p%ised and even 'u%t, 7+'y do t'ey al&ays say &e,%e so anti@-e(iti$/7 7Coo.in" at t'is, isn,t it o)vious &'y/7 7But &'ateve% &e say, you say t'is,7 and 'e%e 'e 'ad a point. He &ent ove% an old litany o1 $o(plaints, t'e .ind you don,t 'ea% ve%)aliBed (u$' any (o%e, a)out Je&s pullin" all t'e st%in"s )e'ind t'e s$enes, )ein" )an.e%s and Bols'evi.s )ut not nationalists. I p%otested t'at Je&s &e%e .ept out o1 t'e "ent%y elite t'at used to do(inate 2oland and so no &onde% so (any sa& inte%nationalis(, &'et'e% li)e%al o% so$ialist, as t'ei% only %e1u"e. But t'ou"' 'e didn,t "et t'e point, 'e also did9 7-o you a"%ee, t'ey &e%en,t 1o% t'e nation. -o &'y do t'ey say t'ey 'ate us/7 +'at st%u$. (e (ost in t'is diat%i)e &as not 'is %a"e )ut 'is pani$, 'is 1ea%. He said t'e (ost nasty t'in"s a)out Je&s, )ut 'is an"e% 1lo&ed 1%o( a sense o1 'avin" lost out and not .no&in" &'y. It &as t'e t'e(e o1 )ein" t%i$.ed t'at .ept %eappea%in" in 'is &o%ds, and t'ose o1 'is (ates &'o soon ;oined in. 0'ey spo.e o1 )ad t'in"s al&ays 'appenin" to t'e(, and to 2oland, and o1 no one eve% ta.in" %esponsi)ility. 0'ey tal.ed o1 t'e $'aos and $o%%uption a%ound t'e(, and said no one o&ned up to it. 0'ey tal.ed o1 people losin" t'ei% ;o)s, 7and no one says &'y.7 :o% people li.e t'is, eve%yt'in" is done 7)e'ind t'e s$enes.7 Just li.e 1o% t'ei% "%andpa%ents in to&ns li.e Jed&a)ne, &'e%e indeed (ost o1 t'e sto%es &e%e o&ned )y Je&s, %i"'t at t'e ti(e &'en sto%es and a t%adin", (oneta%y e$ono(y &e%e )e$o(in" (o%e p%o(inent. nd t'in"s 'appenin" 7)e'ind t'e s$enes7 is a ve%y "ood de1inition o1 $apitalis(, too, at least in $ont%ast to -oviet@type so$ialis(, &'en a ve%y identi1ia)le 2a%ty :i%st -e$%eta%y &as t'e%e to ta.e, o% )ea%, all %esponsi)ility 1o% eve%yt'in". +'en t'ey sta%ted (et'odi$ally listin" t'e na(es o1 t'e leadin" national 1i"u%es and tellin" (e t'ey &e%e all Je&s, it )e$a(e $lea% t'at in t'ei% &o%ld, 7Je&7 does not %eally (ean a Je&@@a pe%son o1 Mosai$ 1ait' o% -e(iti$ o%i"in. It (eans so(eone &'o %uns t'in"s )e'ind t'e s$enes. +'en t'ey oppose Je&s, t'ey t'in. t'ey,%e only opposin" people &'o %un t'in"s )e'ind t'e s$enes. 7-o &'y do Je&s 'ate us/7 I (ysel1, 'o&eve%, Gui$.ly )e$a(e a "ood Je&. Minutes into t'is ani(ated dis$ussion &it' (e@@ t'ei% 1i%st en$ounte% eve% &it' a 7%eal Je&7@t'ey t%eat (e as t'ei% )est o1 1%iends. 0'ey &ant to ta.e (e to lun$', invite (e 1o% $o11ee, 'ave (e ove% to t'ei% 1lats. +'y a( I OD )ut not t'e ot'e%s, I as.ed/ 7Fou $a(e in 'e%e and said you &e%e a Je&. +it' you &e .no& &'o &e,%e dealin" &it'I7 I, in ot'e% &o%ds, &as 1inally so(eone not doin" anyt'in" )e'ind t'e s$enes. I &as %i"'t t'e%e out in t'e open. I 'ave to ad(it t'at I $ouldn,t 'elp li.in" t'e( a )it eit'e%. 0'ese &e%en,t s.in'eads o% violent 1ol.s. 0'ey &e%e lost. Do&nsiBed so$ialist 1a$to%y &o%.e%s, t'ey didn,t .no& 'o& to (a.e it in t'e ne& 2oland. Ci.e Dylan,s M%. Jones, t'ey .ne& so(et'in" &as 'appenin" 'e%e )ut t'ey didn,t .no& &'at it &as. -o(e )la(ed $%i(inals. 0'ey )la(ed Je&s. But t'ey 1ea%ed (e 1a% (o%e t'an t'ey t%ied to 1%i"'ten (e. I &as, a1te% all, one o1 t'e o(nipotent. 0'is &as t'ei% 1i%st $onta$t &it' t'at eni"(ati$ po&e%. Oddly, t'ey see(ed to 1eel validated )y (y spendin" t'e ti(e t'e%e9 a %ep%esentative o1 &'at t'ey )elieved to )e t'e (aste% %a$e, standin" in t'ei% $%u((y )ase(ent )oo.sto%e and ta.in" t'e( se%iously. Jed&a)ne 0'e )asi$ outline o1 t'e sto%y o1 Jed&a)ne is t'at on July 10, 13*1, only days a1te% t'e 8aBis too. t'e to&n 1%o( t'e !ed %(y, &'i$' 'ad o$$upied it sin$e t'e Hitle%@-talin 2a$t o1 1333, "an"s o1 2oles@@e6a$tly 'o& (any is still un$lea%@@'e%ded Jed&a)ne,s Je&s into t'e (ain sGua%e, to%tu%in" and .illin" (any en %oute )e1o%e pa$.in" t'e %est into a )a%n &'i$' t'ey set on 1i%e. Only a 1e& Ee%(ans &e%e nea%)y, ta.in" pi$tu%es. E%oss,s )oo. $a(e out in 2oland in May 2000. #6$ept 1o% t'ose li.e (y )oo.sto%e anti@-e(ites, initial pu)li$ %ea$tion &as not to deny t'e at%o$ity, )ut to as. 'o& it &as possi)le. :o% a nation t'at still 1eels, ;usti1ia)ly, t'at its o&n su11e%in" unde% t'e 8aBis 'as )een unde%played, t'is &as a )i" deal. It $ont%asts 1avo%a)ly, 1o% e6a(ple, &it' t'e (e%i$an %ea$tion to t'e ne&s o1 Bo) De%%ey,s (assa$%e o1 Vietna(ese, and t'e &illin"ness, even ea"e%ness, o1 (ost $o((entato%s to a$$ept De%%ey,s a$$ount t'at 'e did not .no& &'o( 'e &as s'ootin", %at'e% t'an 'is platoon $o(%ade,s a$$ount t'at De%%ey 'ad t'e villa"e%s s'ot at $lose %an"e. But &'ile t'e (e%i$an dis$ussion ended as suddenly as it )e"an, t'e 2olis' dis$ussion too. a)out si6 (ont's a1te% t'e )oo.,s pu)li$ation )e1o%e it %eally )e"an. nd t'en it 'in"ed on t'e Guestion o1 %esponsi)ility. +'at )ot'e%ed (any $o((entato%s, even li)e%als, &as E%oss,s $lai( t'at 2olis' 7so$iety7 )ea%s %esponsi)ility. Mu$' dis$ussion 'as $on$e%ned a passa"e at t'e ve%y end o1 t'e )oo., )e1o%e t'e posts$%ipt, &'e%e E%oss $o(pa%es t&o Jed&a)ne (onu(ents to t'e &a% yea%s. One <&'i$' &as %epla$ed in 2001? )la(ed 78aBis7 1o% .illin" t'e to&n,s Je&s, &'ile t'e ot'e% salutes, in t'e na(e o1 7so$iety,7 t'e (e(o%y o1 t'e 7180 people in$ludin" t&o p%iests7 .illed )y 8aBis, -oviets, and 2olis' -talinists )et&een 1333 and 13>=. It is t'e se$ond (onu(ent, says E%oss, t'at %aises t'e (o%e t%ou)lin" Guestions. 0o say t'at 7so$iety7 'ono%s t'e (e(o%y only o1 7180 people in$ludin" t&o p%iests7 &'o &e%e .illed is to say t'at Jed&a)ne,s Je&s &e%e not pa%t o1 so$iety. In t'e end, 'e says, Jed&a)ne,s Je&s &e%e .illed not )y 8aBis, -oviets, o% 2olis' -talinists, )ut )y t'at sa(e 7so$iety.7 0'e senten$e )la(in" 7so$iety7 1o% .illin" Jed&a)ne,s Je&s 'as )een a li"'tnin" %od eve% sin$e. 0'e 1i%st one to $all attention to t'is &as in 1a$t one o1 2oland,s (ost li)e%al ;ou%nalists, Ja$e. Ja.o&s.i, &'o 'as 'i(sel1 )een a$$used $ountless ti(es )y t'e %i"'t o1 insultin" t'e 2olis' nation. 7Aan so$iety .ill/7 as.s Ja.o&s.i <EaBeta +y)o%$Ba, 8ove()e% 18, 2000?. -o$iety p%ovides a $onte6t, 'e says, )ut 1o% a $on$%ete $%i(e it is only $on$%ete people &'o )ea% %esponsi)ility. In a su)seGuent inte%vie& <EaBeta +y)o%$Ba, 8ove()e% 2>?, E%oss said 'e &is'es 'e put t'e &o%d 7so$iety7 in Guotes. <Indeed, 'e o(itted t'e &o%d enti%ely in t'e #n"lis'@ lan"ua"e ve%sion, &'i$' %eads 7it &as t'ei% nei"')o%s7 &'o .illed Jed&a)ne,s Je&s.? His point, 'o&eve%, is $lea%e% &it'out t'e(. Be$ause &'at 'e is a%"uin" is t'at 2oland,s ope%ative notion o1 so$iety@@t'e one t'at 1un$tions &it'out Guotes in 2olis' $ons$iousness@@is one t'at does not in$lude Je&s. Je&s lived on 2olis' land )ut &e%e not pa%t o1 2olis' so$iety. <He (i"'t 'ave noted t'at (any Je&s li.ed it t'at &ay, )ut t'at,s a di11e%ent point.? He notes t'at in t'e vast 2olis' 'isto%io"%ap'y o1 t'e &a% yea%s, ve%y little attention is "iven in t'ose pu)li$ations to t'e (u%de% o1 t'e Je&s. <In an unintentionally $o(i$ $on1i%(ation o1 t'is point, &'en one $o((entato%, e$'oin" E%oss, $%iti$iBed t'e 'isto%ian 0o(asB -t%Be()osB 1o% &%itin" an enti%e )oo. on t'e &a% in t'e Jed&a)ne %e"ion and 'a%dly (entionin" t'e Je&s, -t%Be()osB,s son %esponded indi"nantly t'at so(eone (ust 'ave %ipped out pa"es 33@3* KEaBeta +y)o%$Ba, June >, 2001L.? 0'e t&o (onu(ents illust%ate t'e &ays t'at t'e (u%de% o1 t'e Je&s and t'e %ep%ession o1 2oles, t'ou"' $a%%ied out on t'e sa(e soil and pe%pet%ated $'ie1ly )y t'e sa(e $ulp%it, a%e t%eated as t&o distin$t p'eno(ena, and a .ey point o1 E%oss,s &'ole )oo. &as to s'o&, t'%ou"' t'e e6a(ple o1 Jed&a)ne, t'at t'is is de$idedly not t'e $ase. E%oss levels a 'ost o1 $'a%"es a"ainst 2olis' 'isto%io"%ap'y. He )la(es 'isto%ians 1o% not p%eviously &%itin" a)out Jed&a)ne, 1o% t%eatin" t'e topi$ o1 2olis' $olla)o%ation &it' t'e 8aBis as ta)oo, 1o% t%eatin" t'e 'isto%y o1 2olis' Je&s as a sepa%ate topi$ 1%o( t'e 'isto%y o1 2oland. 0a.e su%vivo%s, a$$ounts o1 &a%ti(e 2olis'@Je&is' %elations lite%ally, 'e ad(onis'es t'e(, and 1ollo& up t'e da(nin" a$$usations. He t'en indi$ts so$iety 1o% t'e anti@-e(itis( t'at (ade Jed&a)ne possi)le. He su""ests t'at Ao((unis( su$$eeded pe%'aps not )e$ause it &as i(posed 1%o( &it'out <su$' as )y -talinist Je&s, to $ite t'e lin"e%in" vie& 'eld )y (any (o%e t'an (y )oo.sto%e anti@-e(ites?, )ut )e$ause 2oland du%in" t'e &a% 'ad (o%ally %otted 1%o( &it'in, due to $olla)o%ation &it' 8aBis a"ainst Je&s on a 1a% &ide% s$ale t'an p%eviously i(a"ined. lto"et'e%, E%oss,s indi$t(ent o1 2olis' so$iety and 'isto%io"%ap'y is a s&eepin" one. E%oss,s p%ose so(eti(es see(s to "et $a%%ied a&ay. In one (u$'@Guoted line, &it' a sound@)ite Guality t'at "ot it onto t'e dust ;a$.et and into (any %evie&s, E%oss &%ites, a )it too "li)ly, t'at 7t'e $ente%pie$e o1 t'e sto%y7 is t'at 7one day, in July 13*1, 'al1 o1 t'e population o1 a s(all #ast #u%opean to&n (u%de%ed t'e ot'e% 'al1.7 But &'ile E%oss does not (ean t'is lite%ally, as i1 ea$' 2ole in to&n .illed one Je& and eve%yone is i(pli$ated pe%sonally as a (u%de%e%, 'e $lea%ly does not (ind t'e p%ovo$ative p%ose. Indeed, as t'e %esponse to t'e )oo. (a.es $lea%, E%oss 'ad to )e p%ovo$ative, 'ad to )e pole(i$al, 'ad to pen so(eti(es an all too "li) p%ose. Be$ause &'at E%oss t%ied to do, and 1ully su$$eeded at doin", &as p%ovo.e a $ont%ove%sy, eli$it dis$ussions. He too. a pa"e 1%o( Daniel Eold'a"en, &'ose )oo. )e$a(e an inte%national sensation, and $aused intense soul@sea%$'in" a(on" Ee%(ans, not )e$ause 'e s'o&ed t'at %e"ula% Ee%(an 1ol.s 'ad &illin"ly .illed Je&s@@A'%istop'e% B%o&nin" s'o&ed t'at a $ouple o1 yea%s ea%lie% in O%dina%y Men@@)ut )e$ause 'e a%"ued t'is passionately, pole(i$ally, pe%sonally, and %epeatedly. E%oss, li.e Eold'a"en, (ust o$$asionally step out o1 t'e sto%y and toss t'e indi$t(ent in t'e %eade%,s 1a$e, p%e$isely in o%de% to "et t'e attention o1 t'e )%oade% pu)li$. E%oss &%ote as 'e did )e$ause 'e &anted to 1o%$e a &ide@%an"in" 2olis' dis$ussion, not ;ust a(on" 'isto%ians )ut pa%ti$ula%ly a(on" 7so$iety,7 on t'e &'ole Guestion o1 2olis'@Je&is' %elations and t'e lived e6pe%ien$es o1 t'e 'olo$aust. 0'at 'e su$$eeded in t'is is evident 1%o( t'e &ide@%an"in" dis$ussion in t'e 2olis' (edia. :o% a)out a yea% a1te% Ja.o&s.i,s pole(i$, s$a%$ely a day &ent )y &it'out so(e ne& an"le ta.en up. +'at %eally 'appened in Jed&a)ne/ +'at a)out t'e $lai(s o1 a 'eavie% Ee%(an p%esen$e in Jed&a)ne <&'i$' E%oss $ites )ut %e;e$ts?, &'i$' &ould su""est t'at 2oles &e%e $oe%$ed into pa%ti$ipation %at'e% t'an t'e $'ie1 o%"aniBe%s/ Is E%oss %i"'t in 'is s&eepin" a$$usations/ But &'at t'en a)out t'e $%iti$is(s o1 E%oss/ %e t'ey (e%ely 7points7 in a 'isto%i$al de)ate, o% a%e t'ey t'e(selves, &it' t'ei% e(p'asis on 7$onte6t7 <t'e %ole o1 t'e Ee%(ans, o% alle"ed Je&is' sy(pat'y 1o% t'e -oviets?, indi$ative o1 t'e )iases and ta)oos to &'i$' E%oss p%ee(ptively $alls attention/ 0o &'i$' $%iti$s %espond, &'y do E%oss,s Guestions 1%a(e t'e enti%e de)ate/ 0o &'i$' t'ei% $%iti$s %espond, &'y &as t'e%e no de)ate li.e t'is )e1o%e E%oss/ p'eno(enal $a$op'ony o1 voi$es, e6plo%in" t'e past and p%esent in t'e .ind o1 sustained dis$ussion uni(a"ina)le in (ulti$ultu%al, 1o%&a%d@loo.in" (e%i$a. On !esponsi)ility In 'is su$$ess1ul atte(pt to )e p%ovo$ative, E%oss, I t'in., "oes )ot' too 1a% and not 1a% enou"', and 'e $an,t 'elp 1allin" into a 1a(ilia% t%ap. 0'at 'is )%oadside a"ainst 'isto%io"%ap'y "ets p%o1essional 'isto%ians upset is as it s'ould )e. Ho& else to p%o(ote a pa%adi"( s'i1t t'an &it' a )old 1%ontal assault/ But t'e assault on 2olis' so$iety is, I t'in., too )%oad@)%us'ed. A'an"in" pu)li$ opinion %eGui%es en"a"in" it &it' sensitivity. :o% (any 2oles today, t'e past see(s to )e all t'ey,ve "ot. 0'ese a%e tou"' ti(es. I1 t'e li)e%al Ja.o&s.i $ould )e so sensitive to t'e $'a%"es a"ainst 72olis' so$iety,7 i(a"ine t'e %ea$tion o1 ot'e%s. :o% so(e, t'ey,ve 'ea%d a)out 2olis' anti@-e(itis( (any ti(es )e1o%e, 'ave pe%sonally a$.no&led"ed and %e"%etted it (any ti(es )e1o%e, and don,t .no& &'at (o%e t'ey,%e to do. s one 1%iend told (e, 7E%oss (ay )e %i"'t t'at 2olis' Je&is' 'isto%y is &%itten di11e%ently t'an 2olis' 'isto%y, )ut $an,t 'e at least (ention t'at ou% )oo.sto%es a%e 1illed &it' Judai$a se$tions/7 E%oss,s point, o1 $ou%se, $on$e%ns so(et'in" else, )ut i1 t'e %eality is t'at you% audien$e %esponds de1ensively to $'a%"es o1 anti@-e(itis(, you,ve "ot to spea. to t'at de1ensiveness in o%de% to "et )eyond it. I1 t'e %eality is t'at you% audien$e 'as a vis$e%al need to de1end its past@@)e$ause 1o%ei"n do(ination (ade a (yt'i$al past t'e only t'in" to 'old onto to .eep a national spi%it alive@@you,ve "ot to spea. to t'at too to "et )eyond it. &ay out, I t'in., is to t'in. in te%(s o1 $o(pli$ity %at'e% t'an %esponsi)ility. Ao(pli$ity $alls attention to $onte6t and li(itations, and t'us pla$es %esponsi)ility in a 1ulle% and t%ue% $onte6t. 0'e p%o(ise o1 t'is t'e(e is t'at it &ould 'ave allo&ed E%oss to $onside% 'i(sel1 as &ell. I1 it so(eti(es see(s t'at only t'ose o1 ill &ill $an )e %elu$tant to e()%a$e E%oss,s a$$ount, it is use1ul to loo. at E%oss 'i(sel1. :o% E%oss, &'o &as )o%n in 2oland, 'as )een one o1 t'e p%e(ie% 'isto%ians o1 &a%ti(e 2oland 1o% ove% t&o de$ades, yet only %e$ently )e"an &%itin" a)out Je&s. s 'e told David !e(ni$. o1 t'e 8e& Fo%.e% <%ep%inted in 8e& -$'ool 4nive%sity,s 0AD- Bulletin, May 2001?, 'e too &as a 1ait'1ul 1ollo&e% o1 t'e do(inant 'isto%io"%ap'i$al pa%adi"(, &%itin" a)out t'e 8aBi o$$upation o1 2oland, t'e -oviet o$$upation o1 2oland, and only pe%ip'e%ally a)out &'at 'appened to 2oland,s Je&s. Indeed, (u$' o1 t'e tone o1 'is )oo., I t'in., is a %esult o1 E%oss,s o&n sense o1 "uilt 1o% 'avin" i"no%ed all t'e eviden$e 'i(sel1. E%oss says t'at 'e didn,t &%ite a)out Jed&a)ne ea%lie% )e$ause it too. 'i( 1ou% yea%s to unde%stand &'at eye&itness -'(ul +ase%sBta;n 'ad &%itten. But &'y/ +ase%sBta;n,s s'o%t state(ent a)out t'e (assa$%e, &it' &'i$' E%oss opens t'e )oo., is Guite $lea%. 0'at E%oss $ould not 1ully $o(p%e'end it (eans only t'at 'e &as p%edisposed not to a$$ept it. nd i1 it &as so di11i$ult 1o% t'is p%o1essional 2olis' Je&is' 'isto%ian to a$$ept it, 'o& (u$' 'a%de% it (ust )e 1o% ot'e%s. E%oss $ould 'ave &on (o%e suppo%te%s 1o% 'is $all 1o% a %adi$al %et'in.in" o1 t'e past i1 'e (ade $lea%e% 'is o&n $o(pli$ity in t'e p%o)le(. 4n1o%tunately, (u$' o1 t'e $%iti$is(s o1 E%oss d&ells on t'e notion o1 $onte6t, su$' as t'e issue o1 alle"ed Je&is' $olla)o%ation &it' t'e -oviets <&it'out, 'o&eve%, eve% puttin" t'is into $onte6t?. 0'is is li.e sayin" t'at Je&is' )an.e%s and s'op.eepe%s p%ovide a $onte6t to unde%standin" anti@D%ey1usa%d :%en$' anti@-e(itis(, o% t'at t'e use o1 )la$. st%i.e)%ea.e%s p%ovide a $onte6t 1o% unde%standin" (e%i$an &o%.in" $lass %a$is(. It,s not &%on". -u$' t'in"s do p%ovide a $e%tain $onte6t. +'at is &%on", 'o&eve%, is t'is $o(pulsive need to )%in" up $onte6t &'en dis$ussin" one,s $%i(es. Be$ause t'is $an se%ve no ot'e% pu%pose t'an to (ini(iBe t'ose $%i(es, and 'oist )la(e else&'e%e. s $%iti$s o1 su$' 7$onte6tualiBation7 pointed out, it &as not $olla)o%ato%s &'o &e%e .illed in Jed&a)ne, )ut Je&s. Mo%eove%, t'e &idesp%ead pu)li$ .no&led"e t'at Je&s a%e $'a%"ed &it' $olla)o%ation &it' t'e -oviets $ont%asts dia(et%i$ally &it' t'e la$. o1 pu)li$ a&a%eness on t'e e6tent o1 2olis' $olla)o%ation &it' t'e 8aBis. +'y not, t'en, ta.e t'is (o(ent to e6plo%e t'is t'e(e %at'e% t'an %epeat ti%ed $'a%"es o1 Je&is' $olla)o%ation &it' t'e -oviets/ It is t'e %elu$tan$e o1 $%iti$s to do t'is, and t'ei% ea"e%ness to %e'ea%se t'e old $'a%"es, t'at leads $%iti$s o1 t'e $%iti$s to see (u$' o1 t'e 'isto%i$al dis$ussion as a $ontinuin" ena$t(ent not ;ust o1 anti@-e(itis( )ut o1 ly%i$al 2olis' nationalis(. ll o1 &'i$' politi$iBes t'e dis$ussion even (o%e. 0'e %esult o1 all t'is is t'at people &'o li.e t'e )oo. o1ten $o(e to see 2oles as te%%i)le anti@-e(ites, and people &'o don,t &ant to say 2oles a%e te%%i)le anti@-e(ites say t'ey don,t li.e E%oss. 4n1o%tunately, 7$onte6t7 'as )een )%ou"'t up even )y t'e 'ead o1 2oland,s Aat'oli$ A'u%$'. 70'at 2oles also too. pa%t in t'e -talinist %ep%ession does not $'an"e t'e 1a$t t'at t'e leadin" %ole &as played )y t'ose o1 Je&is' o%i"in,7 asse%ts 2%i(ate JoBe1 Ele(p, .no&n 1o% 'is %i"'t@&in" nationalist p%edile$tions. Je&s, 'e $ontinues, 7a%e "uilty 1o% t'ei% a$tions a"ainst 2oles, espe$ially 1o% $olla)o%atin" &it' t'e Bols'evi.s KandL aidin" in t'e e6ile o1 2oles to -i)e%ia and pa$.in" t'e( o11 to p%ison7 <+p%ost, May 27, 2001?. 0'at t'e 'ead o1 t'e A'u%$' $an say t'is &it'out %ep%i(and s'o&s t'e s$ale o1 t'e p%o)le(. 2%otestations t'at Je&s too. pa%t in -talinist %ep%essions not as Je&s )ut as -talinists, o% t'at -oviet leade%s 1ea%in" nationalis( al&ays t%ied to (a.e use o1 (ino%ities 1o% t'e di%ty &o%., o% t'at p%evious anti@-e(itis( 'elped (a.e (any Je&s ;usti1ia)ly suspi$ious o1 2olis' nationalis(, o% t'at, as E%oss notes, t'e 1a$t t'at -talinis( &as $onsolidated in 2oland only a1te% 2oland,s Je&s &e%e .illed su""ests t'at it 'ad to 'ave a so$ial )ase di11e%ent 1%o( Je&s@@all t'is does not'in" to (a.e t'ese $'a%"es "o a&ay. 0'at t'ey don,t "o a&ay, 'o&eve%, (eans t'ey (ust so(e'o& )e add%essed. -tanisla& D%a;e&s.i, t'e $'ie1 spo.es(an o1 2olis' Je&%y 1o% t'e past de$ade, is one o1 t'e 1e& to 'ave add%essed t'e issue %epeatedly. <not'e% is t'e Hun"a%ian Istvan -Ba)o, in 'is %e$ent 1il( -uns'ine.? s t'e "%andson o1 one o1 t'e 1ounde%s o1 t'e 2olis' Ao((unist 2a%ty, (u%de%ed )y -talin in t'e pu%"es o1 t'e 1330s, D%a;e&s.i .no&s 'is su);e$t &ell. -o &'ile 'e a$.no&led"es t'at Ao((unists &e%e p%e$isely t'ose &'o %e;e$ted Je&is'ness, 'e,s also a&a%e t'at Je&is'ness itsel1 (ade one &a%y o1 2olis' nationalis(. s 'e points out, t'ou"', in (aste%ly unde%state(ent, 7to say t'is $onstitutes so(e Je&is' "uilt at t'e sa(e level as t'e (u%de% o1 p%a$ti$ally eve%y Je& in Jed&a)ne is, I t'in., ve%y (u$' out o1 line7 <Jy$ie, June >, 2001?. I1 even E%oss,s tellin" o1 Jed&a)ne o&es (u$' to ot'e% 1a$to%s in 2olis' so$iety, it &on,t )e su%p%isin" to 'ea% t'at t'e enti%e de)ate 'as tended to )e $ondu$ted, and o1ten inte%p%eted, in te%(s 'avin" not'in" &'atsoeve% to do &it' Je&s o% Jed&a)ne at all. 8ationalist ne&spape%s t%eat eve%y )it o1 eviden$e su""estin" E%oss,s sto%y is not 100 pe%$ent ai%@ti"'t as 1u%t'e% p%oo1 t'at 2oles a%e un;ustly pe%se$uted )y t'e &o%ld@@p%eviously t'e !ussians, no& t'e +est, and al&ays t'e Je&s. Ci)e%als t'us 1eel $o(pelled to (aintain E%oss,s sto%y, not )e$ause t'ey t'in. it,s pe%1e$t )ut )e$ause t'ey see 'o& de(onst%ations o1 its i(pe%1e$tion a%e politi$ally used. nd so it,s no a$$ident t'at t'ose pape%s t'at %aise Guestions a)out Jed&a)ne a%e t'ose t'at )elieve 2oland s'ould i(pose tou"' $onditions on ent%y into t'e #4 and %est%i$t sales to 1o%ei"ne%s o1 2olis' land and p%ope%ty, to ta.e t&o topi$s o1 %e$ent de)ate. 2oland, t'ey say, in t'e lan"ua"e o1 t'e #u%opean %i"'t, s'ould ;oin a 7#u%ope o1 independent nations,7 ea$' $ount%y &it' its o&n t%aditions inta$t, not a #u%ope )ased on t'e $o((on deno(inato% o1 t'e (a%.et. Ci)e%als, (ean&'ile, &ant 2oland to $ease t'is endless 1o$us on identity and %e$o"niBe itsel1 1o% &'at it is9 a (ediu(@siBed poo%e% )ut le"iti(ate #u%opean $ount%y t'at $an $lai( no spe$ial p%ivile"es 1o% itsel1. 0'e de)ate ove% E%oss is t'us not so (u$' a de)ate a)out t'e past as a de)ate a)out t'e 1utu%e, ;ust as &as t'e D%ey1us de)ate a $entu%y a"o. +ill 2oland ta.e up its pa%t as a )it playe% in a "lo)aliBed &o%ld, o% &ill it %e;e$t its lot and $ontinue to $lai( so(e spe$ial "lo%y/ -u$' issues played a )i" %ole in t'e 2001 pa%lia(enta%y ele$tions. +'ile t'e so$ial de(o$%ati$ <and p%o@ "lo)alist? De(o$%ati$ Ce1t llian$e &on a st%on" vi$to%y, &it' *1 pe%$ent o1 t'e total vote, nea%ly one in 1ive votes &ent to national@$'auvinist anti@#4 pa%ties, su$' as t'e Cea"ue o1 2olis' :a(ilies, &'i$' e6pli$itly p%esented t'e Jed&a)ne $'a%"es as pa%t o1 on"oin" &este%n and Je&is' atte(pts to su);u"ate 2oland. In li"'t o1 t'ese passions, it is a "ood si"n t'at t'e de)ate 'as "one as 1a% as it 'as, and t'at al(ost eve%yone a$$epts t'e $lai( t'at 2oles pa%ti$ipated and p%o)a)ly o%$'est%ated a te%%i)le $%i(e a"ainst lo$al Je&s. #ven t'e A'u%$' a$$epted t'is position, and in May 2001, $ondu$ted a (ovin" se%vi$e in a +a%sa& $at'ed%al &'e%e )is'ops, on t'ei% .nees, )e""ed 1o%"iveness 1o% $%i(es pe%pet%ated )y 2oles on t'ei% Je&is' )%et'%en. It &as not Guite an apolo"y; t'e #pis$opate e6p%essed 7pain and $ont%ition ... 1o% t'e $%i(es &'ose vi$ti(s &e%e Je&s and a(on" &'ose pe%pet%ato%s &e%e 2oles and Aat'oli$s7 <EaBeta +y)o%$Ba, May 28, 2001?, and as.ed 1o%"iveness 1%o( Eod, not Je&s. 8eve%t'eless, t'e enti%e #pis$opate on its .nees in %e(o%se is not a $o((on si"'t. <It p%oved too (u$' 1o% so(e e6t%e(e nationalists &'o said even t'e A'u%$' 'ad )een ta.en in )y Je&s.? s su$', it is li.ely t'at t'e %eal e11e$t o1 t'e de)ate &ill $o(e in t'e 1utu%e, &'en passions su)side. s t'e de)ate "ets ot'e% 'isto%ians to e6a(ine $olla)o%ation &it' 8aBis a"ainst Je&s, a&a%eness o1 t'is past $an )e$o(e less e(otionally $'a%"ed. 0'is $ould t'en lead &este%n Je&s to Guestion t'ei% o&n "ut anti@2olis'ness, and 'elp lead to a "enuine pea$e on t'is senseless 1%ont. +'y Isn,t It -'o$.in"/ ny dis$ussion o1 2olis'@Je&is' %elations inva%ia)ly a11e$ts (e%i$a as &ell, &'e%e so (any 2oles and Je&s live, and &'e%e "lo)al politi$al de$isions &ill )e (ade a11e$tin" t'e lives and $'an$es o1 2oland today. 2oles .no& t'is a$utely, and one o1 t'e (ain topi$s in t'e 2olis' dis$ussion $on$e%ned 'o& t'e )oo. &ould )e %e$eived in (e%i$a. 0'e ans&e% is t'at it did "et a "ood deal o1 pu)li$ity, )ut p%odu$ed a st%i.in" la$. o1 $ont%ove%sy. 0'e%e &e%e (any %evie&s, "ene%ally Guite 1avo%a)le, and seve%al a%ti$les a)out t'e )oo.,s %e$eption in 2oland. +'at &as distu%)in" a)out t'e $ove%a"e, 'o&eve%, &as t'e la$. o1 sense t'at t'e )oo. says so(et'in" ne&, o% is %elevant to a %et'in.in" o1 t'e Holo$aust. 0'is is in s'a%p $ont%ast to t'e %e$eption "iven Eold'a"en,s Hitle%,s +illin" #6e$utione%s. On t'e 1a$e o1 it, E%oss,s alle"ations s'ould )e (o%e s'o$.in" t'an Eold'a"en,s. 2oland &as an ally in t'e &a% a"ainst Hitle%, its inte%nal %esistan$e so st%on" t'at it %e(ained one o1 t'e 1e& o$$upied $ount%ies not to p%odu$e, o% )e allo&ed, its o&n Muislin" "ove%n(ent. 0'at people so anti@8aBi s'ould t'e(selves &o%. &it' t'e 8aBis a"ainst t'e Je&s &ould see( to )e (o%e su%p%isin" t'an to lea%n t'at %e"ula% Ee%(ans 'ated Je&s, &'i$' is Eold'a"en,s $ent%al point. 0'at it is o)viously not (o%e su%p%isin" spea.s volu(es a)out t'e %e1le6ive anti@2olis'ness so $o((on in t'e +est, pa%ti$ula%ly a(on" Je&s. 0'e 1a$t is t'at too (any &este%n Je&s a$tually do )elieve t'at 2oles &e%e &o%se t'an t'e Ee%(ans, despite .no&in" t'at Ee%(ans $a%%ied out t'e Holo$aust. +'en (y anti@-e(iti$ )oo.sto%e 71%iend7 %e)u11ed (y an"e% a)out 'is 'atin" Je&s i%%ationally &it' 'is o&n a)out Je&s 'atin" 2oles i%%ationally, I 'ad to $on$ede 'i( t'e point. I $e%tainly 1ind (o%e anti@2olis' senti(ent a(on" Je&s I .no& t'an anti@-e(itis( a(on" 2oles I .no&. nd t'e 1o%(e% vie& too o1ten in$ludes an indi$t(ent o1 2oles 1o% t'e Holo$aust, as i1 Hitle% $ould 'ave $'osen to &ipe out #u%opean Je&%y in so(e $ount%y ot'e% t'an 2oland, &'i$' is &'e%e t'e Je&s &e%e. Ee%(an Je&s 'ad t'e lu6u%y o1 )ein" u%)an in an u%)an $ount%y and %elatively s(all in nu()e%s, allo&in" t'e( to 1it in &ell in p%e@8aBi Ee%(any. nd t'ou"' even t'is $ouldn,t save t'e(, it did (a.e su%vivo%s, (ost o1 &'o( 1led ea%ly, %e(e()e% t'e old days as "ood ones. 0'us, Eold'a"en &as so s'o$.in". 2olis' Je&s, 'o&eve%, &e%e u%)an in a %u%al $ount%y, (ode%n in a t%aditional so$iety, and %elatively la%"e in nu()e%s, pa%ti$ula%ly in $ities and to&ns, in s(all to&ns li.e Jed&a)ne, t'ey do(inated t'e %etail se$to%, and t'ei% e$ono(i$ po&e% in $ities li.e +a%sa&, &'e%e t'ey $onstituted a)out a t'i%d o1 t'e population, ended up posin" p%o)le(s 1o% 2olis' Je&s t'at Ee%(an Je&s didn,t 'ave to 1a$e. s a ne& nation@state, 2oland t%ied to )uild its 7o&n7 indust%y, as all ne& nation@states 'ave done. But &it' Je&s unde%standa)ly not 1eelin" 1ully 2olis', t'is o1ten (eant p%o(otin" non@Je&is' indust%y. 0'us, p%e@&a% 2oland &as (a%.ed )y t'e .ind o1 et'ni$@national e$ono(i$ %ival%ies t'at &e%e a)sent in Ee%(any. nd t'us E%oss 'as not )een s'o$.in". :o% sin$e &'at &e .no& o1 t'e Holo$aust $o(es $'ie1ly 1%o( su%vivo%s, as E%oss and ot'e%s 'ave noted, it is no su%p%ise t'at &e,ve al&ays 'ea%d a )ette% sto%y 1%o( Ee%(an Je&s t'an 2olis' ones. :o% unli.e Ee%(an Je&s, 2olis' Je&s 'ad no 'al$yon days to %e(e()e%. <0'ey 'ad su$' days in p%evious $entu%ies, &'en 2oland alone allo&ed Je&s to settle its lands, )ut t'ese a%e not, o)viously, %e(e()e%ed )y su%vivo%s.? #ven t'ou"' (o%e Je&s &e%e saved )y 2oles t'an )y Ee%(ans <&'e%e a%e t'e sto%ies o1 Ee%(an Je&s 'idden in )a%ns and )ase(ents li.e so (any &e%e in 2oland/?, su%vivo%s %e(e()e% 2oland as a &o%se pla$e t'an Ee%(any. My anti@-e(ite,s 1ea%s a%e t'us $on1i%(ed )y t'e (ino% &este%n %ea$tion to E%oss9 it is all too $o((on to )la(e 2oles 1o% t'e Holo$aust. In t'is $onte6t, it is not 'a%d to unde%stand &'y even so(e li)e%al 2oles &e%e &a%y o1 t'e )oo.,s pu)li$ation in t'e +est, 1ea%in" t'at it &ould only $on1i%( &%on" assu(ptions. Inse$u%ity, in ot'e% &o%ds, 'as d%iven (u$' o1 t'e %e$eption to t'is )oo., ;ust as it is s'apin" so (u$' else in 2oland today. t least t'e t%ade unions a%e )e"innin" to di%e$t t'e an"e% and 1%ust%ations $aused )y su$' inse$u%ity to t'e app%op%iate pla$e@@t'at is, not a"ainst 7Je&s,7 )ut to t'e 1i"'t 1o% a )ette% e$ono(i$ deal, &'i$' is t'e sou%$e o1 t'e inse$u%ity. 0'e (o%e su$$ess t'ey 'ave, t'e "%eate% t'e li.eli'ood t'at lin"e%in" anti@-e(itis( &ill dissipate. +'ile (e%i$an Je&s $annot do (u$' to aid t'e unions, e11o%t, t'ey $an 'elp dep%ive anti@ -e(ites o1 suppo%t )y e6a(inin" t'ei% o&n ent%en$'ed anti@2olis' attitudes. +'en (y )oo.sto%e inte%lo$uto% )lu%ted out 7&'y do Je&s 'ate us so (u$'/7, 'e $ould 'ave )een spea.in" 1o% (any li)e%al 2oles as &ell. I1 &e lea%n to t%eat 2olis' anti@-e(itis( as t'e a)no%(ality it is, and not t'e no%( too (any t'in. it is, &e &ould 'elp p%o(ote t'at dialo"ue t'at 2oles t'e(selves 'ave )een 'avin" t'ese past yea%s. 2oland,s Je&s &'o a%e %e)uildin" t'ei% $o((unity today &ould $e%tainly app%e$iate it. :I8C 8O0#9 In July 2002, 1ollo&in" a lon" investi"ation t'at in$luded an e6'u(ation o1 t'e site o1 t'e (assa$%e in Jed&a)ne, t'e Institute o1 8ational Me(o%y in +a%sa& issued its o11i$ial %epo%t <availa)le online at &&&.ipn."ov.pl?. It states $ate"o%i$ally t'at 72olis' $itiBens $a%%ied out t'e (assa$%e.7 0'e %epo%t identi1ies *0@>0 2oles &'o a$tually to%tu%ed and .illed Je&s, and says t'at t'e (a;o%ity o1 to&nspeople &at$'ed passively. 7It $annot )e dete%(ined &'et'e% t'is passivity &as due to t'ei% app%oval o1 t'e $%i(e o% to t'ei% 'o%%o% at t'e )%utality o1 t'e pe%pet%ato%s.7 ICC4-0!0IO8 <BCAD N +HI0#? OOOOOOOO By David Ost David Ost <ostP'&s.edu? is p%o1esso% o1 politi$al s$ien$e at Ho)a%t and +illia( -(it' Aolle"es &'o 'as &%itten &idely on #aste%n #u%ope. His )oo.s in$lude -olida%ity and t'e 2oliti$s o1 nti@ 2oliti$s and t'e 1o%t'$o(in" Aapitalis(, n"e%, and De(o$%a$y. Aopy%i"'t o1 0i..un is t'e p%ope%ty o1 Institute 1o% Ca)o% N Mental Healt' and its $ontent (ay not )e $opied o% e(ailed to (ultiple sites o% posted to a listse%v &it'out t'e $opy%i"'t 'olde%,s e6p%ess &%itten pe%(ission. Ho&eve%, use%s (ay p%int, do&nload, o% e(ail a%ti$les 1o% individual use.