During occupation of Poland by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, Sokółka was the location of Sokółka Ghetto for the imprisonment of Polish Jews. The Nazi ghetto served as staging point for deportations to death camps during the Holocaust in Poland similar to most Jewish ghettos across the country. The Jews of all surrounding villages and towns including Krynki, Janów, Czyżów, and Zaręby Kościelne were kept there. In total, 8,000–9,000 people were murdered. The main synagogue was destroyed. The Jewish community was not restored.