Shock Video: Polish Parliamentarian Uses Fire Extinguisher on Menorah at Hanukkah Ceremony
Grzegorz Braun, e pro-Russia member of the Confederation of the Polish Crown party in the Sejm (the lower house of the Polish parliament) used a fire extinguisher on a menorah at a Hanukkah ceremony at the parliament on Tuesday. Video posted online shows Braun spraying the large menorah, extinguishing the lit candles, becoming enveloped in a cloud as a crowd of reporters gathered around him.
Screen image via Patryk Michalski/X Twitter
Skandaliczne zachowanie Grzegorza Brauna w Sejmie pic.twitter.com/wWTO8vGP6F
— Sebastian Napieraj (@sebastiantvn24) December 12, 2023
“An incredible scandal. MP Grzegorz Braun extinguished the Hanukkah menorah with a fire extinguisher.”
❗️❗️❗️Niebywały skandal. Poseł Grzegorz Braun zgasił gaśnicą menorę hanukową. @wirtualnapolska pic.twitter.com/JOxbsKCIAu
— Patryk Michalski (@patrykmichalski) December 12, 2023
The Guardian reported Braun’s response when confronted (excerpt):
Those around him can be heard saying: “you should be ashamed.”
He responds: “Those who take part in acts of the satanic cult should be ashamed.”
Braun reposted a comment by a woman upset with the Hanukkah display at the parliament.
“Yarmulkes, tallit, fringes, sidelocks and other excesses in the Sejm of the Republic of Poland! No to Hanukkah celebrations in the Polish parliament! I didn’t notice the Advent wreath in the building. We are ruled by servants of all nations, except for the servants of the Polish Nation”
Jarmułki, tałesy, frędzle, pejsy i inne ekscesy w Sejmie RP! Nie dla obchodów chanuki w polskim parlamencie! Wieńca adwentowego nie zauważyłam na terenie budynku.
Rządzą u nas sługusy narodów wszelakich, z wyjątkiem sług Narodu Polskiego 😞@GrzegorzBraun_ @KoronyPolskiej pic.twitter.com/sTqfN6dr4V— Marta Czech (@MartaAnnaCzech) December 12, 2023
In case there was any doubt as to his anti-Semitic motivation, Braun reposted a comment praising his anti-Semitism, “In the eyes of the media, the MP @GrzegorzBraun_ committed a serious crime – he dared to raise his hand against a Talmudic and Satanic cult, extremely hostile to Christianity. This cult justifies the murder of innocent Palestinians (including Christians) by Zionists. #FreePalestine”
Poseł @GrzegorzBraun_ w oczach mediów dopuścił się ciężkiej zbrodni – ośmielił się podnieść rękę na talmudyczny i satanistyczny kult, skrajnie wrogi Chrześcijaństwu. Ten kult usprawiedliwia mordowanie niewinnych Palestyńczyków (w tym Chrześcijan) przez syjonistów. #FreePalestine https://t.co/V8Yrr7R2ee
— Korona Szczecin (@KoronaSzczecin) December 12, 2023
A rabbi relit the candles after the incident.
Incoming Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk denounced Braun, according to ABC News, “New Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the incident a disgrace and said such a thing should never be repeated.”
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