Goldmann Protests Warsaw Regime’s Refusal to Postpone Auschwitz Ceremonies

Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Jewish Congress, today deplored the Polish Government’s refusal to re-schedule official ceremonies inaugurating the Jewish pavilion on the site of the Auschwitz death camp, despite repeated requests to do so because the date set, April 20, falls on the Sabbath and is the last day of Passover.

In a statement issued here today. Dr. Goldmann said that “the date set by the Polish authorities is not only the religious Jewish day of rest, when services for the dead are forbidden by Jewish tradition and law, but it is also the concluding day of the Passover festival celebrated devoutly throughout the ages as the liberation of our Jewish forebears from Egyptian oppression and slavery. Regrettably, we can reach no other conclusion that, in ignoring our representations, the Polish Government has, with intent, prevented large numbers of Jews and Jewish organizations who respect these traditions from being present At Auschwitz…to render homage in prayer and sorrow to their dead,” Dr. Goldmann said.

“Particularly disturbing,” his statement continued, “is the fact that the Polish Government’s decision to disregard the human feelings and religious sentiments of Jews throughout the world, coincides with the current intense anti-Jewish political actions and propaganda in Poland. To persist in this attitude is unworthy of the Democratic Republic. It is a slur on the memory of Jewish heroes who fought and died in their unequal battle against the Nazis…It is an affront to the memory of the innocent Jewish men, women and children from all over Europe who suffered indignity, persecution and death because of their devotion to their faith and people.”