I think Białowieża is being used as a political stick to beat Poland over the head with by those who are unhappy with the current government
You're right, there is some of that - but mostly because it's so obvious a target for criticism. But that does not detract from the core issues, and so it is important to raise this above politics and political opinions, and concentrate on the science and the law. The science is not political, it's just the science. And the law is the law.
If we put the politics to one side and look at the scientific consensus, inside and outside of Poland, from national and world experts on forest biology, and if we look at the law as directed by the EU court to which Poland is subject, then the facts are quite clear.