Trump officials pressured Israel to reduce criticism of Holocaust law: report

The Trump administration reportedly put pressure on Israel to reduce its criticism of Poland’s so-called Holocaust law in an effort to preserve relations with both countries. 

Senior Israeli officials said that White House officials urged the country to be cautious in its criticism of the law, according to a report from Barak Ravid, an Israel News10 correspondent. Ravid’s report has been translated and reported on by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 

The State Department originally called on Poland to “reevaluate” the legislation, which passed in February and would criminalize acts blaming Poland’s government and citizens of being complicit in war crimes committed by the Nazis. It is currently under review in Constitutional Court, according to JTA. 

{mosads}Vice President Pence reportedly personally pressured the leader of Israeli’s opposition party when the two met at the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee conference. According to Ravid’s report, U.S. officials said the law was “objectionable,” but did not want to shut out a diplomatic relationship with Poland. 

Polish leaders were reportedly blocked from meeting with President Trump and Pence during the height of the controversy surrounding the law, but officials maintained that the diplomatic relationship had not been threatened.

Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson condemned Polish President Andrzej Duda’s signing of the law, saying it was chilling to free speech and that the U.S. is “disappointed” in it.