Polish MP Franciszek Sterczewski says he will not pay the fine imposed by the ruling KO party for unexcused absences, adding he would still sail to Gaza.
Penalty for Unexcused Absences
KO, the parliamentary club, fined MP Franciszek Sterczewski for “unjustified absences” from Sejm sessions. He was told he would not be allowed to sit in September meetings, a decision the party upheld after he presented a leave request.
Sterczewski Declines to Pay Fine
During an interview with Radiom Zet, Sterczewski said he had notified the club of his absence in September, produced his leave request, and even showed the Sejm marshal’s stamp of approval. However, club leader Zbigniew Konwiński did not grant approval.
He added that he would not pay the penalty because he answers to voters, not to the party, and that he remains willing to sail to Gaza to draw attention to the Gaza Strip.
Critique of International Response to Gaza
Sterczewski spoke on TVN24, saying that he has watched the gruesome images from the Gaza Strip for months and feels frustrated that the world, including Poland, has done too little.
He portrayed the mission to Gaza as essential to end the alleged genocide, and criticized foreign policy officials who he said downplay or justify Israel’s actions.
Sikorski’s Role Described as Netanjahu’s Lawyer
He accused Poland’s minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, of acting as an “advocate for Netanyahu” and said Sikorski’s statements on Israel damage Poland’s credibility, while Poland still stands as an accuser against Putin.
Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Weighs In
Jan Grabiec, the chief of staff to the Prime Minister, appeared on TVN24 and dismissed the Gaza flotilla as more like a vacation than a mission. Podcast host Anita Werner said such comparisons were inappropriate, stressing the matter’s seriousness.
