Pro-Palestinian and Nazi graffiti were discovered Friday night on the ruins of a synagogue and Jewish cemetery in Dukla, Poland.
Vandals attempted to spray the word “Palestine” alongside a swastika over a Holocaust memorial plaque located within the cemetery.
The Dukla Shtetl Association, an organization dedicated to preserving the region’s Jewish heritage, reported the incident to the local police.
"We are, as an Association that deals with the heritage of Dukiel Jews, but also, as citizens of Dukla, embarrassed by this hateful hooligan act," Jacek Koszczan of The Dukla Shtetl Association said.
The memorial was erected by the town’s residents as a symbol of the coexistence that was once present between Polish and Jewish communities prior to the Holocaust.
The association extended an invitation to the perpetrators to participate in historical and educational workshops designed to help them understand the gravity of their actions.
“We expect decisive action from law enforcement, and we hope that the vandals will face harsh consequences. What we can offer is an environment that deals with history and learning, educating those who committed this heinous act. We invite you to workshops, read books, and engage in discussions. Knowledge reduces fear and can be a way to dialogue, change in attitude, and greater openness,” the association said in a statement.
A spokeswoman for the Podkarpackie region, where Dukla is located, condemned the act, calling it unforgivable.
The growing wave of antisemitism in Poland
This incident occurred just days after far-right MEP Grzegorz Braun referred to the Auschwitz gas chambers as “fake” and accused the Auschwitz Museum of promoting “pseudo-history.”
Braun also claimed that “ritual murder is a fact,” alleging that Jews committed such crimes, echoing antisemitic blood libel accusations.
The Auschwitz Museum announced it would pursue legal action.
In Poland, Holocaust denial is a criminal offense punishable by up to three years in prison.
“Poland stands at a crossroads and must confront this hatred immediately,” said Meir Bulka, chairman of J-nerations.
“Last Thursday, we saw history distorted as a Polish parliamentarian blatantly denied the Holocaust, receiving applause from a mob,” he added.