Grzegorz Braun, the leader of the far-right Confederation of the Crown of Poland party, caused outrage when he used a fire extinguisher to put out Hanukkah candles in the country’s parliament. In a shocking act captured on video, Braun was seen taking the extinguisher off a wall and walking over to where the candles were. A cloud of white powder filled the area as Braun discharged the extinguisher, covering people nearby, according to footage posted by broadcaster TVN24.
Braun then took to the podium in the chamber, where he described Hanukkah, an eight-day Jewish festival, as satanic. He claimed that he was restoring normality by extinguishing the candles. When asked if he was ashamed of his actions, Braun responded by saying, Those who take part in acts of Satanic worship should be ashamed.
The Speaker of Parliament, Szymon Holownia, swiftly responded to the incident by excluding Braun from the day’s proceedings. Holownia labeled the act absolutely scandalous and stated that he would inform prosecutors about Braun’s actions. There will be no tolerance for racism, xenophobia, antisemitism… as long as I am the speaker of parliament, Holownia declared, emphasizing that Poland is a home to all religions.
Poland’s Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich expressed his embarrassment over Braun’s actions and stressed that they did not represent the country. He reminded everyone that their enemies had tried to extinguish their culture throughout history but failed. Rabbi Schudrich stated, But our enemies should learn, they cannot extinguish us. A few minutes after the incident, the candles were relit as an act of resilience, according to Rabbi Schudrich.
Cardinal Grzegorz Rys, representing Poland’s Catholic Church, conveyed his apologies to the entire Jewish community in Poland. He expressed his shame over Braun’s actions and distanced himself from the far-right politician’s hateful behavior.
The incident has sparked international condemnation and highlighted the importance of combating hate speech and discrimination. The shocking act in Poland’s parliament serves as a reminder of the need for tolerance, acceptance, and interfaith dialogue in society.
In recent years, Poland has witnessed a rise in far-right and nationalist sentiments, leading to concerns about the country’s commitment to pluralism and inclusivity. As incidents like Braun’s actions continue to occur, it is crucial for leaders and communities to come together and promote peaceful coexistence, respect, and understanding.
As the global community observes these events, it is a reminder that hate and prejudice have no place in society. Ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens, regardless of their religious or cultural backgrounds, is paramount. While incidents like this may be distressing to witness, they also serve as a call to action to build bridges of understanding and promote unity in diversity.
In the face of such acts, societies must stand united and reaffirm their commitment to eradicating hatred and discrimination in all its forms. By fostering an environment of respect and empathy, we can build a future where incidents like this become relics of the past, ultimately creating a more inclusive and harmonious society for all.
