The Polish League Against Defamation since the beginning of its existence has taken on the task of supporting those acting in defense of the good name of Poland, or Polish heroes of the struggle for freedom. Every day we remind people of the importance of defending historical truth and national identity. The Polish League Against Defamation, while striving to maintain a reliable and historically correct narrative about Poland, also often undertakes a legal battle in clashing with false messages and hypocrisies in the depiction of historical truth, which must always be presented honestly, without subjective interpretations of historical events.
In this context, several years ago The Polish League Against Defamation took a court case against Jan Grabowski, who is a representative of the so-called New Polish School of Holocaust Research. Fighting against the distortion of history, The Polish League Against Defamation issued a stance questioning the reliability of the methodology of Mr. Grabowski’s scientific works, pointing out that this historian, who works as a professor at the University of Ottawa in Canada, selectively treats historical sources and chooses those that are in line with his theses. His work also ignores the historical context of the events described. It is particularly damaging to Poles that Grabowski’s publications omit the fact that the Germans punished Poles who not only hid Jews, but helped them in any way, with death.
Grabowski also authored the thesis, unsupported in historical sources, that „Poles contributed to the deaths of 200,000 Jews.” On the other hand, last weekend he insisted, on national radio, that „it was Polish blackmailers who had a major impact on the fact that only 1 percent of the Jews who lived in Poland before the war survived the occupation,” and with this derogatory term he included all Poles, who, in his view, „went from being observers of the Holocaust to being 'actors’ who decided the lives and deaths of Jews.”
The broadcast, like many of Jan Grabowski’s previous statements, on the role of Poles and Jews during World War II, caused great emotion and outrage. Most of his theses are usually the subject of discussion and controversy, both in Poland and abroad. Indeed, Grabowski, being a historian specializing in the history of the Holocaust and Polish-Jewish relations, often takes a subjective stance on issues concerning the role of Poles during the occupation.
His statements often emphasize the difficult aspects of Polish-Jewish relations during the Holocaust, including the issue of Poles cooperating with the Germans. For this reason, many of his opinions are considered a misunderstanding, especially in the context of sensitive topics such as the Polish role in saving Jews or negligence in this regard.
Although Grabowski’s research and publications have also contributed to a deeper understanding of the history of the Holocaust and Polish-Jewish relations, which is important for scientific discourse and the development of knowledge on the subject, they spread anti-Polish and historically incorrect theses.
It is worth noting that these opinions are often discussed in the context of a broader academic and social debate, both in Poland and internationally, which, however, most often ends in great controversy on the part of listeners or other audiences.
For this reason, The Polish League Against Defamation has been scrutinizing Jan Grabowski’s statements and publications for years, and consequently questioning the reliability of the methodology of his academic work, which has also been confirmed by Polish scholars gathered around The Polish League Against Defamation, against Jan Grabowski’s activities.
In our opinion, the historian selectively treats historical sources and chooses those that are consistent with his theses. His work also ignores the historical context of the events described. Particularly damaging to Poles is the fact that Grabowski’s publications omit the fact that the Germans punished with death Poles who not only hid Jews, but helped them in any way.
The activity of people like Jan Grabowski and their active participation in the public debate is a signal that our organization, as it has for years, must continue to work to defend the good name of Poland and Poles by straightening out false information about Polish history, especially in the context of World War II and the participation and role of Poles in it. We are also committed to fighting against racism and xenophobia, which can be directed against citizens of the Republic of Poland, regardless of their origin.
Our activities include initiating lawsuits in cases of defamation and spreading false information, as well as providing legal and financial support to victims.
However, in order to continue our mission and help more people affected by injustice, we need your financial support. Your donations are crucial to continuing our activities and achieving further successes in the fight for truth and justice.
We would like to remind you that for a year now we have been using a new account number, PKO Bank Polski: 29 1020 1042 0000 8202 0481 3491, with a note „Donation for statutory purposes”, which you will also find below, in the footer of our website.
We will be extremely grateful for any amount you donate. Your generosity enables us to continue our work to defend the good name of Poland and the Polish people.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your trust and support.
