Source: gazetakrakowska.pl
summary of incident
On 26 January 2025, in Kraków’s Kazimierz district, a pro-Palestinian demonstration took place on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, during which participants chanted slogans including “Down with Zionism” in front of a synagogue, raising concerns about antisemitic expression in a historically Jewish area.
Details of incident
On 26 January 2025, a demonstration titled “Never Again for Anyone” was held in Kraków’s Kazimierz district, a historic centre of Jewish life in Poland. The protest took place on the eve of commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
Participants expressed pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel positions, including chanting slogans such as “Down with Zionism” in the vicinity of a synagogue. Additional slogans referenced nationalist and historical political rhetoric, including phrases associated with early 20th-century Polish nationalist movements.
While the protest was framed by organisers as anti-imperialist and focused on the war in Gaza, the use of such language and its deployment in a historically Jewish setting, particularly during a period of Holocaust remembrance, drew criticism and concern regarding the potential normalisation of rhetoric perceived as antisemitic.
Context of incident
The incident reflects broader tensions across Europe following the escalation of the Israel–Gaza conflict after October 2023, during which protests related to the conflict have at times included rhetoric perceived as antisemitic or insensitive to Jewish historical memory.
In Poland, where Holocaust memory and Jewish heritage sites carry particular historical significance, the timing and location of such demonstrations can intensify their impact. Observers note that while political criticism of Israel is part of public discourse, the use of slogans targeting “Zionism” in proximity to Jewish religious sites risks blurring the line between political expression and hostility toward Jewish identity.
Responsible actors or groups involved
The demonstration was organised by a coalition of activist groups, including Akademia dla Palestyny, Inicjatywa Wschód, Akcja Socjalistyczna, and others. Several international organisations and solidarity groups were also reported to be involved.
