The IJL is supporting a lawsuit filed in January 2025 against Marie Andersen and the Medical University of Warsaw, brought forward by a Jewish Israeli medical student studying in Poland.

 

The case arose from an incident during a demonstration held in Warsaw shortly after the Hamas attack on October 7th. During the demonstration, Marie Andersen, a medical student at the Warsaw Medical University, carried a poster displaying the slogan “Keep the world clean” alongside an image depicting an Israeli flag thrown into a rubbish bin. In addition, Andersen posted highly antisemitic content on her social media, including statements equating the State of Israel with Nazi Reich. The content and symbolism used in her poster clearly crossed the boundaries of freedom of expression. According to Polish case law, statements and actions promoting the annihilation of a specific group, denying its right to exist, promoting Nazism, or making vicious general attacks on a national group are illegal. Marie Andersen’s actions caused the plaintiff emotional distress and a sense of insecurity, constituting a violation of their personal rights.

 

The lawsuit also targets the Warsaw Medical University, where Marie Andersen is enrolled. Polish case law recognizes that personal rights can be violated not only by direct perpetrators but also by entities that indirectly contribute to aggravating previously committed violations. The university failed to take adequate action against Andersen, despite repeated requests from the plaintiff and other Jewish students. This lack of response further exacerbated the violation of the plaintiff’s personal rights.

 

The claims in the lawsuit include a demand for each defendant to issue a public apology. Additionally, the plaintiff requests that the Warsaw Medical University be obligated to establish an effective code of conduct to protect Jewish Israeli medical students.

 

The lawsuit was submitted to the Regional Court in Warsaw (Sąd Okręgowy) in January 2025, supported by extensive materials and expert opinions. The case is currently pending.