Assessing the Hanukkah Incident in the Sejm
The exchange began with a comment from Sławomir Mentzen, a member of parliament and the leader of Nowa Nadzieja, connected to the Confederation coalition. He remarked on Grzegorz Braun’s action of extinguishing Hanukkah candles inside the Sejm, noting how such an act would shape perceptions of his leadership among officials and the public.
One of Confederation’s prominent figures addressed the episode on his YouTube channel, focusing on the intensity of Braun’s protest in the parliamentary chamber.
Mentzen’s perspective
Mentzen, in his capacity as head of Nowa Nadzieja, commented on the presence of Hanukkah celebrations within the Polish parliament. He pointed out that similar holiday expressions are not seen within the Israeli Knesset in a Christian spirit, underscoring differences in ceremonial practices between countries and institutions.
Regarding the tradition itself, he suggested that Hanukkah should not take place in the Polish Sejm. If the decision were his to make, he would oppose the event. He recalled that the first Hanukkah celebration in the Sejm occurred around 17 years ago during the initial term of the ruling party. At that time, he claimed, there was no complaint about it.
He added that there would be no harm if Hanukkah were not held in Poland’s Sejm, but it did unfold in that setting. He attributed the occurrence to Marshal Hołownia and accepted it as a political decision that day.
Mentzen also stated that he did not endorse Braun’s behavior, and he suggested that the protest could have taken a different, less provocative form. It would have been possible to organize a press conference or draft a formal letter of outrage, but rushing in with a fire extinguisher did not align with prudent protest. He also noted an incident where Braun appeared to target a woman defending the menorah, which he described as wrong and dangerous.
– said Mentzen.
Consequences of the act
Mentzen expressed concern that Braun’s act might have lasting consequences for the Polish parliamentary system. He reiterated that no other marshal would celebrate Hanukkah in a way that could be linked to Braun’s action, highlighting the potential for lasting associations between leadership and such incidents.
From the standpoint of international repercussions, Mentzen warned about damage to Poland’s image abroad. He noted that the episode gained attention beyond Poland, fueling narratives that could cast Poland as hostile to Jewish communities. He stressed that the broader message conveyed is troubling for the country’s reputation.
Mentzen lamented that the episode spread globally, amplifying the perception of anti-Semitism in Poland and portraying Jews as facing a defensive struggle in a climate that supposedly allows greater concessions. He described this global resonance as harmful.
– Sławomir Mentzen.