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08.07.2020

The IPN commemorated the victims of the Kielce pogrom - 4 July 2020

On 4 July 2020, on the 74th anniversary of the pogrom of Jewish population in Kielce, the Deputy Head of the Institute of National Remembrance Kielce Sub-branch Patrycja Zatorska and Ryszard Śmietanka-Kruszelnicki, Ph.D. laid flowers under the plaque commemorating the murdered.

 

The ceremony was attended by representatives of state authorities, local authorities and the “Solidarity” Trade Union.

"The history of anti-Jewish incidents, the pogrom of 4 July 1946, has not only a local but also an international dimension. Therefore, as residents of Kielce, we always pay homage to those who died at that time. And yet, we do not forget about the important issue of historical research. As regards the pogrom, the discussion is not likely to end in the nearest future. First, there are different interpretations of the sources. At the same time, a number new publications which introduce new research problems have appeared. I hope that in the next few months, after the publication of my two articles, the debate on the pogrom will take place again. I hope we will be able to moot some new ideas for discussion, which may determine what had happened 74 years ago in Kielce, " said Ryszard Śmietanka-Kruszelnicki, Ph.D.

The tragic events were triggered by a false rumor that a child of one of the residents had been kidnapped by a Jewish neighbor. As a result of anti-Jewish sentiment shared by part of the society and the unbelievable passivity and inefficiency of those who commanded the law enforcement and military forces a mass murder of the Jewish population took place. Thirty-seven Jews and three Poles were killed at 7 Planty Street, 35 Jews being injured.

On 4 July 1946, in Kielce and the surrounding area, other incidents occurred in which the victims were Jews. Such events were noted in the vicinity of the train station and on trains running from Kielce and to Kielce


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