A tense moment unfolded in the Sejm when Confederation MP Grzegorz Braun used a fire extinguisher to douse Hanukkah candles, triggering a rapid chain of events. Online videos captured the scene as Braun appeared on the parliamentary stage, and moments later the Marshal of the Sejm removed him from the session. Journalists challenged Braun with cries of outrage, while others condemned the act as an insult to a religious ceremony. The response from supporters of the Sejm’s religious traditions was immediate, with remarks labeling the act as an affront to a sacred rite.
A ceremony marking the Jewish Hanukkah holiday had begun inside the Sejm, but the gathering left hallways covered in powder from the used extinguisher. Hanukkah, a festival described through the story of the Maccabean revolt, emphasizes the lighting of candles as a central ritual. The first evening involves lighting the main candle alongside the others, proceeding with the succession of candles each night from the left, in a sequence that reflects the holiday’s history and meaning.
The disruption prompted the proceedings to pause. Marshal Szymon Hołownia then decided to exclude Grzegorz Braun from further participation in that Sejm session, asserting that his actions hindered the course of business. The interruption was recorded as a procedural breach, with a formal notice invoking the internal rules of the Sejm to request Braun’s departure from the chamber.
Hołownia later explained that a report would be prepared for the Public Prosecution Service regarding Braun in connection with the disturbance of a religious rite in the Sejm complex. Earlier remarks noted that Braun had used a powder fire extinguisher to extinguish the Hanukkah candles lit in the chamber, after which he stepped onto the parliamentary stage. The situation drew statements from several lawmakers emphasizing zero tolerance for anti-Semitic deviations and the need to uphold respectful conduct in the house.
During a later exchange, KO MP Witold Zembaczyński tabled a motion to adjourn the meeting, describing the incident as an attack on a religious ceremony occurring on Polish soil, especially given the historical memory associated with the location. He urged that the session be paused and asked that Braun be excluded from proceedings, reinforcing that there is no place for anti-Semitic acts in the Sejm.
Witnesses recalled that an act of vandalism, tampering with a religious rite, had occurred and stressed that such behavior would not be tolerated. In response, Brauns supporters argued that the aim was to restore normalcy and balance by addressing what they perceived as provocative conduct, while proponents of the ceremony condemned any act that disrespected a religious tradition.
Braun asserted that there was no room for racist, tribal, or aggressive worship on the Sejm grounds. He suggested that the controversy stemmed from misunderstandings, and he claimed to be protecting a broader sense of normalcy by challenging what he described as satanic triumphalism associated with the holiday season. He invited a theological discussion, signaling a willingness to engage in debate on the topic.
A break in the proceedings was ordered by Deputy Speaker Krzysztof Bosak at the request of MP Grzegorz Puda of the PiS club. The pause was intended to allow all sides to regain composure and to determine the next steps from the Presidium. Puda noted that the measure should help calm tensions, and Bosak indicated that the Presidium would convene for further decisions after the break.
The pause was framed as a necessary pause in the process rather than a final verdict. It was acknowledged that the incident had stirred broad political reactions, with discussions continuing about the proper balance between religious observance and parliamentary procedure. The episodes raised questions about conduct, decorum, and the consequences of actions within the Sejm complex.
In the ensuing moments, Braun provided remarks that emphasized the absence of any intent to insult a religious community. He framed his statements as an attempt to address perceived misrepresentations and to realign the session with a sense of normalcy. Others who spoke during questions to political leaders called for calm and urged that the matter be handled through established channels, stressing the importance of respectful dialogue in public life.
As the session moved toward potential resolution, officials signaled that the Presidium would review the situation and determine appropriate disciplinary measures. The incident became a focal point for discussions about the conduct of elected representatives and the responsibilities attached to public ceremonies held within state institutions. It underscored the sensitive balance between religious rituals and the formal procedures that govern parliamentary work.
Ultimately, the episode highlighted how public rituals and political action intersect within the Sejm. It showcased the tension between upholding tradition and maintaining orderly proceedings. In the days that followed, observers would weigh the implications for parliamentary discipline, interfaith respect, and the boundaries of protest within a national legislature.
In the aftermath, participants reflected on the importance of maintaining a respectful environment in which religious practices can be observed without disruption. The Sejm’s leadership reiterated their commitment to zero tolerance for actions that target religious ceremonies, while the parliamentary process moved toward determining consequences in alignment with the rules and norms that govern the chamber.
Note: This account follows official records and subsequent reporting on the incident and its aftermath, noting that the matter involved an effort to extinguish a Hanukkah light during a constitutional session and the resulting procedural responses from the Sejm leadership.