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'We are not a country of anti-Semites,' says Polish FM after walking out of live TV interview

13.11.2024 12:12
The discussion sparked by the evening program hosted by Monika Olejnik was addressed not only by the Polish foreign minister, but also by Rafał Trzaskowski, his rival in the race for support from the Civic Coalition (KO) in next year's presidential elections.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski quickly left the TVN24 studio after Monika Olejniks program.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski quickly left the TVN24 studio after Monika Olejnik's program.TVN24

One of Poland's most popular journalists, Monika Olejnik, during a live interview, asked Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski about the background of his wife, the internationally renowned journalist and writer Anne Applebaum.

Referring to an article from the Catholic socio-cultural magazine Tygodnik Powszechny, Olejnik asked the foreign minister if he agreed with the claim that within the circles associated with the Civic Coalition party, "the problem is his wife's background."

Sikorski responded that Poland already has a secular tradition of having Jewish-background women as first ladies. He then stood up and immediately left the live broadcast.

FM demands restoration of 'journalistic standards'

Sikorski, after quickly leaving the TVN24 station, commented on social media, saying, "I believe that making the background of a candidate's wife a topic in the presidential election is unacceptable."

"Contrary to the insinuations of editor Olejnik, we are not a country of anti-Semites," assured the Polish top diplomat. He concluded his statement by demanding that the American-owned TVN station and Warner Bros./Discovery "restore journalistic standards."

Tygodnik Powszechny denies antisemitic intent

The Catholic socio-cultural magazine that published the article referenced by Monika Olejnik distances itself from any antisemitic implications.

Tygodnik Powszechny issued a statement strongly emphasizing that: “The claim made by the host of Kropka nad i, suggesting that the issue for some in the Civic Coalition is the background of Radosław Sikorski’s wife, is false.”

Rafał Trzaskowski expresses support for Anne Applebaum and Radosław Sikorski

Rafał Trzaskowski, the current mayor of Warsaw, who is competing with the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the support of the KO party in next year's presidential election, expressed his support for Anne Applebaum and her husband, Radosław Sikorski, in this situation.

"Spouse, children, family are sacred. My words of support for Anne and Radek," he stated shortly after an online debate erupted about the incident during the program hosted by Monika Olejnik on TVN24.

Monika Olejnik apologizes for controversy over Anne Applebaum

Finally, late on Tuesday evening, Monika Olejnik herself spoke out on the matter. The journalist issued a statement in which she emphasized that she has been fighting against antisemitism, violence, hate, and aggression for years.

"I am not indifferent! With surprise and outrage, which I expressed during the program, I accepted the media quotes regarding Anne Applebaum's background. I believed that the minister should have the opportunity to respond, which he did," said the host of the TVN24 program.

"I apologize to all my viewers if I was not precise and clear enough. No insinuations were intended. Like Minister Sikorski, I believe that Poland is not a country for anti-Semites," wrote one of Poland's most popular journalists.

Instagram/monika.olejnik_official Instagram/monika.olejnik_official

Who is Anne Applebaum?

Anne Applebaum, the subject of the above discussion, is American by birth, having been born in Washington, D.C., to a reform Jewish family. She obtained Polish citizenship in 2013.

She is a columnist for The Atlantic and a bestselling author for The New York Times. As a writer, she specializes in the history of communist and post-communist Europe. In 2004, she won the Pulitzer Prize for her book Gulag: A History. She has written for The Washington Post, served as Deputy Editor of The Spectator, and was a correspondent for The Economist in Warsaw.

The wife of Radosław Sikorski (an Oxford graduate), Applebaum also has an equally prestigious education. She graduated from Yale University and the London School of Economics and has taught at institutions such as Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge.

As noted on the back cover of her latest book, Auto­cracy Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World, she divides her time between Poland and Washington. She and Radosław Sikorski have two adult sons.

Winner of Peace Prize of the German Book Trade Anne Applebaum and her husband Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski at the awarding ceremony of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade in Frankfurt, Germany, 20 October 2024. (photo: ENRICO SAUDA/POOL/PAP/EPA)
Winner of Peace Prize of the German Book Trade Anne Applebaum and her husband, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, at the awarding ceremony of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade in Frankfurt, Germany, 20 October 2024. (photo: ENRICO SAUDA/POOL/PAP/EPA)

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