Roundup: Poland marks 70 years since Kielce Pogrom targeting Holocaust survivors

Polish President Andrzej Duda on Monday marked the 70th anniversary of Kielce Pogrom against Holocaust survivors by saying "there is no place for prejudice, racism, xenophobia and antisemitism in free Poland."

"There is no justification for anti-Semitic crime," he said.

The pogrom was an outbreak of violence against the Jewish community in Kielce, southern Poland on July 4, 1946. According to historians, 37 people of Jewish origin were killed.

While taking part in the commemorative events, the president underlined the fact that all the victims were citizens of Poland, of Jewish origin, who often miraculously survived from the Holocaust.

He underlined the fact that Poland is a free country of mutual respect and good cooperation of all the citizens.

"No matter what nationality, religion, language... there is no place for any prejudices, racism, xenophobia and antisemitism," Duda said.

He said Poland was a lawful country which could ensure safety of all its citizens and that Poles and Jews had more than thousand years of common history.

He also reminded that hundreds of Poles helped the Jewish population during World War II, risking their own lives.

"We need to take care of what is important and beautiful. But we also need to take care of what was difficult and hard, not to forget about it... so that we can draw conclusions and create better relations," Duda said.

The commemorative events began on Sunday when citizens of Kielce, as well as Jewish community from around the world, around 300 people altogether paid respect to the victims of pogrom.

A commemorative march was held, names of victims were read aloud, flowers and candles were placed in the place of the pogrom.

A letter of Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo was read, saying, among others, that "commemorations of 70th anniversary of Kielce Pogrom are a tribute paid to their victims and a proof that bringing back the difficult history truth can help build better future, based on dialogue, memory and reconciliation."

Citizens of Kielce, the militia and soldiers took part in the Kielce Pogrom, an anti-Semitic crime, resulting in death of 37 Jewish and three non-Jewish Poles. Endit