Titled: Politician's Actions Spark Controversy over Hanukkah Candle in Poland's Parliament
Warsaw, Poland - The unconventional actions of a Polish parliamentarian from the far-right Konfederacja party led to a scuffle and widespread outcry, stirring up a whirlwind of controversy around Hanukkah celebrations in the country.
During a plenary session, lawmakers from the Jewish community visited the Parliament building at the invitation of the speaker and lit the Hanukkah candlestick as reported by multiple Polish media outlets on Dec 7th. Footage from TVN24 captured Grzegorz Braun, a parliamentarian, seizing a fire extinguisher from the walls, unleashing its spray on the lit flames of the Hanukkah candlestick, causing a commotion within the hall.
Following the altercation, Braun declared from the podium that lighting Hanukkah candles constituted an act of Satanism, resulting in his exclusion from the session by Parliament President Szymon Holownia. Furthermore, Holownia announced that charges would be filed against Braun for his antisemitic behaviour.
Polish designated head of government, Donald Tusk, publicly condemned the politician's actions as disgraceful. Reiterating Holownia's stance, Tusk affirmed that under his leadership, the Parliament would not tolerate the presence of antisemitic or racist ideologies.
Hanukkah, a festival commemorating the re-dedication of the second Jerusalem temple after a revolt against the Greeks in 164 BC, encompasses the "miracle of light" where a single candle burns for eight days. This year, the celebration extended until Dec 15th. In spite of the controversy, Hanukkah celebrations continued across Poland, with traditional 'chanukka chandeliers' gracing homes and public spaces throughout the country.
As Polish delegates at an international conference in response to the incident, expressed their strong condemnation for Braun's antisemitic actions, it serves as a reminder that traditions and cultural celebrations should remain a source of unity, rather than igniting indignation.
Sources: ntv.de
Enrichment Data: The particular incident of the Hanukkah candlestick being extinguished by a member of the Polish parliament did not receive coverage from the media sources. The sources focus on separate topics such as a controversial congress invitation, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a successful art auction, and various parliamentary announcements.
However, it is essential to note that the provided information was compiled through search engine queries instead of direct media-article analysis, which may lead to discrepancies.
