Dear Colleagues,
Re: Visit to Australia by Stanislaw Michalkiewicz, February – March 2019
We are facing a scandal that has the potential to seriously undermine the good name of Poland, the reputation of Polonia and of Polish-Jewish relations.
We refer to the return visit to Australia (and New Zealand) by a highly controversial Polish commentator, Stanisław Michalkiewicz, for a series of public meetings in Australia’s major cities.
The Australian Institute of Polish Affairs categorically distances itself from this highly provocative visit. Like his previous visit, it is likely to embarrass the entire Polonia, provoke serious discord within the community, and damage Poland’s reputation – as testified by the recent correspondence from concerned and alarmed leaders of Jewish organisations. We are therefore equally concerned and alarmed.
Mr Michalkiewicz arrives in Australia on the invitation of the Polish organisation Stowarzyszenie Nasza Polonia wherein Mr Adam Gajkowski, Honorary President, is associated with. His meetings will be held in venues associated with the Polish Catholic Mission in Australia.
As pointed out by most Polish commentators, Michalkiewicz’s past public statements breach the boundaries of the common moral code and civility. They are extreme and offensive, especially to the Jewish community.
Our Institute has been active in defending Poland’s good reputation and in building good relations of trust and mutual respect between the Polish and Jewish communities in Australia since 1991. This visit by Stanislaw Michałkiewicz could endanger those achievements.
We hope all Polish organisations join us in condemning Michalkiewicz’s inflammatory statements and distance themselves from his Australian visit.
We are attaching, for your information, four links to some of the statements made by Mr Stanislaw Michalkiewicz:
MICHALKIEWICZ: ŻYDZI UWAŻAJĄ JEZUSA CHRYSTUSA ZA SKURW***NA! TO NIE SĄ NASI BRACIA!
Stanisław Michalkiewicz: Żydzi będą kiedyś rozliczeni – cierpliwość się wyczerpie #85 KNews
https://natemat.pl/251317,pedofilia-michalkiewicz-z-radia-maryja-odpowie-za-slowa-o-ofierze-ksiedza
Aleksander M. Gancarz OAM
President
Australian Institute of Polish Affairs (AIPA)
www.aipa.net.au