The mass exodus of Jews from Poland in 1946 and 1948 is currently being repeated “as anti-Semitism spreads and becomes more intensified throughout the country,” according to a survey by the World Jewish Congress made public here today.
The WJC report noted that in the years between 1948 and 1956 conditions were mere favorable for Jews in Poland thin for Jews in other Communist countries and that Jewish life had resumed. Economically, the Jewish community had gone through “restratification” leading to changes in occupation and an increased percentage of Jews in heavy industry and agriculture, the Congress study revealed.
“Despite this relative cultural, religious and economic freedom, there were unmistakable rumblings that stirred apprehension in the community.” the WJC said. “Anti-Semitism still lingered on, although there was little food for it.”
In 1956 there was a revival of overt anti-Semitism in Poland “with anti-Semitic incidents increasing in frequency and seriousness.” The study pointed out that “despite bitter opposition from Gomulka and his supporters, as well as from high Roman Catholic churchmen, anti-Semitism-supported by survivors of old reactionary groups–continued to spread.” This led, the WJC report added, to a migratory movement by Jews and last year there was a “liberalization in migration policies, beginning with Jewish orphans and–toward the end of 1956–extended to adults as well.”
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