The Polish Senate has approved a proposed law that could mean a jail term for anyone who accuses the nation of being complicit in Nazi German crimes during World War II.
In a statement posted on its website, the State Department said it was concerned about the repercussions the draft legislation, if enacted in Warsaw, “could have on Poland’s strategic interests and relationships” – including with the its ally the United States and Israel.
In Jerusalem, the majority of Knesset deputies have backed plans to introduce new laws which could see Poland accused of Holocaust denial.
Tensions between Israel and Poland emerged after Poland’s lower house last week passed a bill that would introduce penalties for anyone who publicly ascribes blame to the Polish nation or state for crimes committed by Nazi Germany.
Israeli ambassador to Poland Anna Azari said: “In Israel, this bill is seen as creating a possibility of punishment for Holocaust survivors’ testimony. The emotions are running high”.
In Poland, the planned new law is seen as a way of fighting the use of the phrase “Polish death camps”, which implies Poland’s involvement in the Holocaust.
Polish government spokeswoman Joanna Kopcińska has said: “It was the Germans who attacked Poland, while the Poles and Jews were the victims”.
“There were no Polish death camps, no Polish concentration camps or Polish extermination camps. We must set the record straight by continually explaining and clarifying things,” she added.
The Polish bill needs to be signed by President Andrzej Duda before it enters into law.
