Non-government organizations in Poland have distanced themselves from the right-wing government’s policies that have strained Polish-Jewish relations and some say have led to a wave of anti-Semitism.

In a letter to “international public opinion” they said they didn’t share the government’s views but supported Polish-Jewish dialogue, including the painful truth about the Holocaust.

They were referring to Poland’s new law that makes it a crime to blame Poles for crimes committed by Nazi Germans. Critics in Israel say it could encourage whitewashing some facts about the Holocaust.

The organizers of the letter said Monday that more than 100 organizations have signed it. Former President Lech Walesa and movie director Agnieszka Holland also back the letter.

The organizations held a rally Sunday to show solidarity with Jews and condemn anti-Semitism.

(AP)