In the halls of Polish parliament, chaos erupted during a plenary session invitation to the Jewish community. Instead of unity, a right-wing extremist MP, notorious for his extremist views and anti-Semitic remarks, took center stage. Grabbing a fire extinguisher, he aimed at the glowing Hanukkiah, putting out the flames of tradition and harmony.
The Hanukkiah, lit for the festive occasion, symbolized the triumph of light over darkness during the re-dedication of the second temple in Jerusalem. The smell of gun smoke and the sight of tumultuous scenes filled the room as Braun, a Konfederacja party member, fled the scene. From the speaker's platform, he declared the act of lighting Hanukkah candles as an "act of Satanism."
In response to the disturbing incident, the Senate President, Szymon Holownia, expelled Braun from the session and imposed a fine. Holownia vehemently spoke out against the rising tide of antisemitism and racism, stating that under his leadership, such attitudes would not be tolerated in Polish politics.
Poland's upcoming head of government, Donald Tusk, echoed Holownia's sentiments, labeling Braun's actions as a disgrace. The nation stood united in outrage against the far-right MP's despicable behavior, demanding accountability and justice.
In this year's Hanukkah celebration, which concluded on December 15, the spirit of unity and harmony was sadly marred by a single act of intolerance and hatred.
Following the incident, the designated new head of government, Donald Tusk, publicly denounced Grzegorz Braun's actions, a far-right MP known for his anti-Semitic remarks and radical views. During the plenary session, Braun disrupted the peaceful occasion by using a fire extinguisher to snuff out the Hanukkiah. The highly controversial act was met with widespread condemnation within the Polish Parliament and Jewish community.
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