Edward Ochab

Edward Ochab
First Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party
In office 20 March 1956 – 21 October 1956
Preceded by	Bolesław Bierut
Succeeded by	Władysław Gomułka
Personal details
Born	16th August 1906
Died	1st May 1989 (aged 82)
Spouse(s)	Liwa Ochab née Oshpitzin

Edward Ochab (Polish: [ˈɛdvart ˈɔxap]; 1906–1989) was a Polish Communist politician promoted to the position of the First Secretary of the Communist party in the People's Republic of Poland between 20 March and 21 October 1956, just prior to the Gomułka thaw. Political coniuncturalist with a Stalinist past, Ochab was deputy chairman of the Polish Council of State 1961–1964 and as such one of four acting Chairmen of the Council of State from 7 to 12 August 1964. Ochab served as Chairman of the Council of State (head of state) in the years 1964-1968. He withdrew from politics in 1968 in the aftermath of the anti-Semitic campaign conducted by his own governing Polish United Workers' Party.

The wife of Edward Ochab, Rachel, stemmed from a Hasidic family of Oshpitzin (Auschwitz), residing in Israel, with whom the couple maintained correspondence.

References

• Chaim Wolnerman, "Water Carriers" [1]
• The New York Times, May 3, 1989, "Edward Ochab Is Dead; Poland Ex-Official" [2]

See also

• Them: Stalin's Polish Puppets by Teresa Torańska

Political offices
Preceded by Aleksander Zawadzki	Chairman of the Polish Council of State 1964–1968	Succeeded by Marian Spychalski
Preceded by Bolesław Bierut	General Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party 1956	Succeeded by Władysław Gomułka