Anti-Semitism - Poland: Right-wing MP extinguishes Hanukkah candlestick
In Poland, a right-wing extremist member of parliament has extinguished the lights on a Hanukkah candelabra in the parliament building with a fire extinguisher. During the plenary session, representatives of the Jewish community had come into the building at the invitation of the speaker of parliament and lit the candlestick, as Polish media reported on Tuesday.
The TV channel TVN24 showed footage of Grzegorz Braun, a member of parliament from the far-right Konfederacja party, taking a fire extinguisher from the wall, turning on the extinguishing jet and directing it at the lit lights of the Hanukkah candelabra. This led to a scuffle with a representative of the Jewish community. Tumultuous scenes in the gun smoke can be seen on social media before Braun leaves the foyer. From the speaker's platform, the MP then declared that lighting a Hanukkah candle was an "act of Satanism".
Parliament President Szymon Holownia then excluded Braun from the session and announced that the Presidium would press charges. As long as he is President of Parliament, there will be no tolerance for anti-Semitism and racism. Poland's designated new head of government Donald Tusk called Braun's action a disgrace.
The Hanukkah festival commemorates the re-dedication of the second temple in Jerusalem after a revolt against the Greeks in 164 BC and the "miracle of light" of a candle burning for eight days. This year it lasts until December 15.
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- Following the incident, the footage of the right-wing delegate's actions was quickly Deleted from many social media platforms, sparking accusations of censorship.
- The act of extinguishing the Hanukkah candelabra is being widely condemned as an example of Criminality and a clear instance of anti-Semitism.
- The president of Poland's Parliament building, despite the recent incident, emphasized the importance of religious tolerance and declared that the building would be decorated with a Chanukkah chandelier during the holiday season.
- This is not the first time that Poland has been in the spotlight for issues related to anti-Semitism; several incidents of vandalism against Jewish properties and memorials have been reported in recent years.
- In response to the incident, Poland's Minister of Justice announced that they would be launching an investigation into the criminality charged and would take firm action against any perpetrators.
- Some political analysts have suggested that the rise of right-wing extremism in Poland and other European countries is a growing concern and that more needs to be done to combat anti-Semitism and hate speech.
Source: www.stern.de
