Various political figures, Jewish leaders, and the Israeli ambassador gathered in Poland's parliament for a Hanukkah ceremony following a recent attack by a far-right MP on the ceremonial

candles. President Andrzej Duda, along with parliamentary leaders, joined in lighting the Hanukkah candles, symbolizing unity in the face of adversity.

Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich emphasized the event's significance, calling it a representation of the genuine face of Poland. The ceremony was a direct response to the incident involving MP Grzegorz Braun, who used a fire extinguisher to put out the candles during a previous ceremony.

Schudrich highlighted the resilience of their community, stating that despite attempts to dim their light, they stand undeterred and united. Rabbi Szalom Ber Stambler echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the candles as a symbol of fostering tolerance and combating darkness with light.

Braun's actions were universally condemned by political groups, President Duda, and Poland's Catholic church. The Speaker of the lower house, Szymon Hołownia, expelled Braun from the chamber and notified prosecutors of a potential crime, leading to an ongoing investigation.

In response, Braun was suspended from his caucus within the Confederation party, facing an indefinite ban from speaking in the Sejm. Krzysztof Bosak, a leader within the group, expressed condemnation, asserting that Braun's actions harmed their reputation and the trust of their voters.

Despite calls for Braun's expulsion from Confederation, the group has only suspended him, prompting warnings of potential repercussions. Hołownia cautioned that failure to take stronger action might lead to the loss of positions within the parliament. Notably, Confederation did not participate in the recent ceremony. Photo by 39james, Wikimedia commons.