AJC Alarmed Over Arson Attack On Warsaw Synagogue

American Jewish Committee
Thursday, 27 February 1997

The American Jewish Committee is shocked and alarmed over the recent arson attack on the main synagogue of Warsaw, and has expressed its concern and solidarity with the Jewish community in Poland.

In a letter sent to Polish Ambassador Jerzy Kozminski, David A. Harris and Rabbi Andrew Baker, AJC's Executive Director and Director of European Affairs, respectively, noted that they were gratified with the statement issued by Polish President Kwasniewski which swiftly and unequivocally condemned the attack.

"We were also pleased," they AJC leaders wrote, "to hear that government and religious representatives - and the American and German ambassadors - attended [a] religious service in the Warsaw synagogue. Though it took place amidst the odor of the burnt vestibule, we know from our friends and co-religionists in Warsaw that they were comforted by this support."

In another letter to Pawel Wildstein, president of the Federation of Jewish Congregations in Warsaw, the AJC leaders stated that they were "troubled at the thought that this deliberate act of arson is an anti-Semitic expression directed at Poland's Jewish community. We want you and all members of Poland's Jewish community to know that we stand with you at this difficult time."

Mr. Harris and Rabbi Baker were heartened by President Kwasniewski's assurance that the Polish Government will pursue the perpetrator(s) vigorously and prosecute to the full extent of the law.

Mr. Harris will be in Warsaw beginning this weekend, as part of an eight-member international Jewish delegation to discuss with Polish authorities a permanent plan for the protection and conservation of Auschwitz and Birkenau, and will follow up on the arson attack with government officials and leaders of the Jewish community.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org