Yad Vashem issues statement on Polish Holocaust law u-turn

Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, issued a statement Wednesday in response to the Polish government decision to remove provisions in the law that imposed jail sentences for suggestions of Poland's complicity in Nazi crimes.

"We believe that the current announcement of the Polish government's intention to modify the controversial amendment to the National Remembrance law passed earlier this year is a positive development in the right direction.

"We believe that the correct way to combat historical misrepresentations is by reinforcing open, free research and educational activities," they said.

"Yad Vashem reiterates its support for ensuring that educators and researchers are not hindered in grappling with the complex truth of Polish-Jewish relations before, during and after the Holocaust," the statement concluded.