Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., March 07, 2008 Adar2 1, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:26 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Jews who fled Poland after '68 anti-Semitic purge may now reclaim citizenship By Anshel Pfeffer The Polish Interior Ministry announced this week that all Jews who left Poland in the wake of the anti-Semitic purge that began in 1968, and were consequently forced to forfeit their citizenship, will now be able to have it reinstated. In March 1968, following student demonstrations across the country, Poland's communist regime came down hard on democratic activists and students. Advertisement The comprehensive crackdown was accompanied by virulently anti-Semitic propaganda, which prompted more than 15,000 Jews to leave the country. Since the communist regime collapsed and democracy was introduced in Poland, Polish leaders have on several occasions condemned the oppressive campaign. A decade ago the Sejm even passed a decision that anyone who was forced to emigrate during that period is entitled to get back his or her citizenship. Despite that decision, most Israelis who applied to the Polish Interior Ministry or consulates to reinstate their citizenship were rejected on bureaucratic grounds, stemming from specific regulations dating from the 1950s regarding Poles who asked to immigrate to Israel. Following repeated requests from the federation of Jewish communities in Poland and organizations that combat anti-Semitism and racism, the Interior Ministry announced on Monday that the regulations have been suitably revised, and that Israelis could now also regain their original Polish citizenship. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Girl power Female MKs learn martial arts in order to defend themselves against sexual assault. Not Jewish enough U.K. Jewish school gets sued for barring pupil over mother's non-Orthodox conversion.

Today Online Eight killed in terrorist attack at Jerusalem yeshiva Responses: 119 Olmert: Talks with Syria worth serious consideration Responses: 98 Settlers agree to leave several illegal West Bank outposts Responses: 113 Gaza humanitarian situation said at worst point since 1967 Responses: 211 Soldier killed in strike on IDF jeep near Gaza border Responses: 134 More Headlines 01:38 Eight killed in terrorist attack at Jerusalem yeshiva 01:54 Abbas slams Jerusalem attack; Israel: Peace talks will go on 02:00 Jerusalem yeshiva student: I shot the terrorist twice in the head 22:05 Soldier killed, three others hurt in attack on IDF jeep near Gaza border 01:26 Mercaz Harav - the flagship of national-religious yeshivas 01:41 6 Islamic Jihad militants killed in separate IDF actions in Gaza 02:07 Jewish leader fails to prevent New Zealand auction of Hitler photo 20:21 Swastika daubed on grave of 18th-century rabbi in Poland 18:20 Hamas: Cease-fire deal must include West Bank 20:53 UN Human Rights Council condemns IDF actions in Gaza Previous Editions Select Day 06 mar 05 mar 04 mar 03 mar 02 mar 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb

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