Language:
English
Year of publication:
1986
Titel der Quelle:
Archives Européennes de Sociologie
Angaben zur Quelle:
27,2 (1986) 199-214
Keywords:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
Abstract:
Contends that even the most candid examinations of Polish behavior toward the Jews during World War II (such as that of Jan Jozef Lipski) fail to deal honestly with the question. The failure of most Poles to assist Jews is explained by fear of reprisals, yet large numbers regularly engaged in other actions, such as black-marketeering or aid to the national resistance, which were also punishable by death. The real explanation is a general indifference to the fate of the Jews. The underground press and reports by members of the underground express widespread antisemitism. The government-in-exile was viewed as too pro-Jewish. While few condoned or assisted in the process of extermination, many welcomed the elimination of Jews from Polish society. Contemporary silence about this problem arises from the Poles' perception of their country as a victim which, therefore, could not have been a victimizer.
Note:
Appeared also in "Dissent" 34 (1987) and in his "Collected Essays on War, Holocaust and the Crisis of Communism" (2014) 47-62. Amended from the Polish article which appeared as "Ten jest z ojczyzny mojej..., ale go nie lubie" in "Aneks" 41-42 (1986) 13-35.
DOI:
10.1017/S0003975600004604
URL:
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