Poland risks fueling anti-Ukrainian sentiment by tolerating harassment

The increasingly aggressive public mood in Poland, marked by harassment of Ukrainian children and "vigilante" interventions, signals a dangerous shift, according to analyst Michał Szułdrzyński. He observes a "very rapidly changing mood" and an "online wave of aggression" targeting those who try to moderate emotions, indicating a problem that goes beyond simple disagreements.

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We will not achieve our goal by tolerating the harassment of Ukrainian girls on the bus.

Szułdrzyński distinguishes between a firm stance on historical issues, such as the glorification of the UPA, and the harassment of ordinary Ukrainians living in Poland. "We will not achieve our goal by tolerating the harassment of Ukrainian girls on the bus," he stated. He warns that politicians, from both the opposition and the ruling camp, are exploiting historical disputes for electoral gain, and this "dislike" used in their speeches does not disappear but translates into real-world actions on the street.

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This dislike, which politicians use in their speeches, it does not disappear.

The article criticizes the ambiguous stance of the Civic Coalition and appeals for greater responsibility from the political class. Szułdrzyński urges politicians to "go against the emotions," even if it is politically unpopular. He stresses the need for "adults in the room" – public figures who can calm tensions, even at a political cost.

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I would expect politicians to go against the emotions.

Reflecting on the boundaries of public debate, Szułdrzyński cautions against allowing extreme environments and nationalist narratives to dictate the tone of discussion. "We have accepted a situation where nationalism sets the boundaries of our discourse," he said. The discussion concludes with an appeal to remember fundamental values that should not yield to political calculation, emphasizing the role of commentators in sounding the alarm when necessary.

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We really need an 'adult in the room'.