The Kielce pogrom occurred in July 1946, when a deeply rooted atmosphere of antisemitism culminated in a brutal attack on the Jewish community in Kielce, Poland. This incident followed the end of World War II and the Holocaust, during which millions of Jews had been systematically murdered. Many survivors, having returned to Poland, sought to reclaim their lives and communities. However, a false rumor circulated that a Jewish man had kidnapped a Polish child, triggering an eruption of violence. A large crowd gathered, fueled by centuries of prejudice and fear, resulting in an attack that quickly turned deadly. Armed men and civilians went door-to-door, hunting down Jewish residents who had just begun to re-establish themselves in the city.

The pogrom lasted only a few hours, yet it resulted in the deaths of at least 42 Jews. The brutality of the assault shocked many observers both in Poland and internationally. In its aftermath, the event drew attention to the precarious situation of Jews in postwar Poland, as well as the widespread antisemitism that persisted in Central Europe. Many survivors opted to leave Poland following the pogrom, marking a significant wave of emigration from the country.

The Kielce pogrom represented not just localized violence but was emblematic of the broader societal challenges and the deep-seated antisemitism in post-war Poland. It also had broader implications for Jewish identity, community, and the future of Jewish life in a country where the Holocaust had recently claimed so many lives. The international community reacted with horror, leading to discussions about the need for the establishment of a Jewish state as a safe haven for survivors.