Iran Press/Europe: The visit had been originally scheduled for Monday but Polish Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that it was being called off.
The issue of former Jewish property in Poland is emerging as an emotional issue ahead of European elections this month and national elections in the fall, Reuters reported.
Poland was once home to 3.3 million Jews, most of them were murdered by Nazi Germany during World War II. Their properties were often looted by Germans and later nationalized by the communist regime. Some Jewish organizations have been seeking restitution of the properties.
Thousands of Polish nationalists marched in front of the US embassy in Warsaw on Saturday, protesting that the US is putting pressure on Poland to compensate Jews whose families lost property during the Holocaust.
Thousands of Polish nationalists marched in front of the US embassy in Warsaw
The protesters, who included far-right groups and their supporters, said the United States has no right to interfere in Polish affairs and the US government is putting “Jewish interests” over the interests of Poland.
Poland was a major victim of Germany during the second world war and those protesting said it is not fair to ask Poland to compensate Jewish victims when Poland has never received adequate compensation from Berlin.
The protesters shouted “No to claims!” and “This is Poland, not Polin,” using the Hebrew word for Poland.
Thousands of Polish nationalists marched in front of the US embassy in Warsaw
Among those far-right politicians who led the march were Janusz Korwin-Mikke and Grzegorz Braun, who have joined forces in a far-right coalition standing in the elections to the European Parliament later this month. Stopping Jewish restitution claims has been one of their key priorities, along with fighting what they call pro-LGBT “propaganda”. The movement is polling well with young Polish men.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki echoed the feelings of the protesters at a campaign rally on Saturday, saying it is Poles who deserve compensation.
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