It is an honor that I can be in Poland – said the second gentleman of the United States, Douglas Emhoff, in “Fakty po Faktach”. The husband of US Vice President Kamala Harris and the American envoy for combating anti-Semitism in the world visited Gorlice, where his ancestors come from. In an interview with Piotr Kraśka, he admitted that “it’s quite a surreal” experience. He also spoke about the fight against anti-Semitism and Polish aid for refugees from Ukraine.
American second gentleman Douglas Emhoff, husband of US Vice President Kamala Harris, arrived in Poland this week. On Sunday, the envoy of the American administration in the field of combating anti-Semitism in the world and supporting the memory of the Holocaust was a guest of Piotr Kraśko in “Fakty po Faktach” TVN24.
The conversation with Emhoff took place in Gorlice, Lesser Poland, where his great-grandparents come from, who moved to the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. The second gentleman, when asked if he felt at home in Gorlice, admitted that “now yes”, although “it’s quite surreal”. – I recently learned that Gorlice is the place of origin of my ancestors – he pointed out.
Piotr Kraśko talked to Douglas EmhoffTVN24
– I was able to come to Poland for the first time on behalf of the United States, on behalf of the president, Madam Vice President, to talk about hatred and anti-Semitism, but also to talk about the future – he continued. He emphasized that part of the visit “is also seeing yourself, your family and the whole history of these terrible things that I saw in Auschwitz.” “Now I have come home to find out where I come from, but also where the millions who did not survive come from, including members of my family,” he said.
– It is an honor that I can be in Poland, that I can visit this beautiful country – he added.
The second gentleman of the USA: we must talk about it loudly
According to Emhoff United States under the leadership of the president Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris do a lot to combat anti-Semitism in the world. – Other people are also involved. Not just me, but the entire administration.
“Together with various organizations and institutions, we fight anti-Semitism: we increase education and funding,” he enumerated. He noted that his trip to Europe is also related to activities in this area. – In Berlin, I will meet our ambassador, who is a very well-known historian dealing with the Holocaust, I will also meet other leaders to talk about what is happening on the ground, about the good and bad things, and we can take it back to the United States and create a plan of action, he explained.
Moreover, the official said, “every time we see these terrible cases of anti-Semitism going public, we have to speak up about it.”
Emhoff: I saw the open arms of Polish citizens who welcome refugees
The TVN24 guest was asked about the invasion Russia to Ukraine and Russian propaganda, which talks about Ukrainian fascists and Nazis.
As he assessed, “everything starts with propaganda, it starts with disinformation, fakes”. – We must resist it – every disinformation, propaganda, fakes, what is not true. It is important that people know what the truth is, he added.
The second gentleman also expressed his appreciation for Polish help to those fleeing the war. – I want to thank the Polish government and the Polish people for what you do for Ukraine and refugees. I saw it myself, the president knew it, the vice president saw it.
– I have met refugees from Ukraine in the last few days, I have also seen the open arms of ordinary Polish citizens who welcome Ukrainian refugees into their homes and communities. This is amazing and the United States will continue to provide support for Ukraine, for the Ukrainian people, and I will support Poland, the Polish government and the Polish people in helping Ukraine,” Emhoff said.
Main photo source: TVN24