Far-right lawmaker causes stir with fire extinguisher at Hanukkah celebration
Television network TVN24 published a video showing Grzegorz Braun, a federal party member, grabbing a fire extinguisher and making his way through the parliament hall to the location of the candles. A cloud of white aerosol forms, prompting security personnel to evacuate the area.
Guests from the Jewish community, including children, had been invited to the annual Hanukkah celebration in parliament at the speaker's invitation.
The video also shows people nearby covered in fire extinguisher foam.
Following the incident, Braun addressed the crowd at the podium, labeling Hanukkah as "evil" and stated his intention to return to "normality." When asked if he felt remorse, Braun responded, "Those participating in the worship of Satan should feel ashamed."
Magdalena Gudzinska Adamczyk, present at the event, challenged Braun in the video as he extinguished the candles. She described feeling short of breath and having difficulties speaking, her face covered in white powder. She cited feeling less safe in the country.
Braun was subsequently removed from the parliament session by the speaker and informed that the authorities would be notified of his actions. Braun would later lose half his salary for three months and all community expenses for six months.
The speaker, Szymon Hołownia, stated, "Racism, xenophobia, and antisemitism will not be tolerated while I serve as speaker."
Before a trust vote for the newly appointed European Union-friendly Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Braun had caused a stir by approaching the parliamentary representatives and yelling at them as they spoke outside the parliament building. He later left the room to shake hands with other extreme-right parliamentarians.
The federalist party was expected to maintain their position following the October events, with Polish elections on the 15th primarily focused on economic issues, criticizing the level of Polish aid to Ukraine. However, the party only managed to win 18 seats in the elections, compared to the 11 seats they had previously.
Poland's Chief Rabbi Michael Shudrich told Reuters he was embarrassed by Braun's actions, saying that "someone extinguished the Hanukkah candles, and a few minutes later, we lit them again." He explained that throughout history, enemies have sought to destroy the Jewish community, but they cannot do so.
Cardinal Grzegorz Rys from the Polish Catholic Church publicly apologized for Braun's actions, expressing regret to the entire Polish Jewish community.
Enrichment Data Integration:
Grzegorz Braun's questionable actions during the Hanukkah celebration in the Polish parliament were met with shock and widespread criticism both in Poland and internationally. He was excluded from the parliamentary session, withholding half his salary for three months and community expenses for six months. A criminal complaint was also filed against him due to the disruption and antisemitic nature of his actions.
Grzegorz Braun has a history of controversial behavior, including disrupting a Holocaust lecture and making antisemitic statements. This incident is part of a broader pattern of controversial actions by Braun that have drawn criticism and outcry.
Reference(s): [1] [4] Enrichment data.
