Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned Polish MP Konrad Berkowicz for displaying a swastika-emblazoned Israeli flag in parliament, prompting a diplomatic dispute and legal scrutiny.
Israeli Protest and Demand for Action
Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement demanding “decisive action” regarding Polish MP Konrad Berkowicz, citing his controversial past including public support for Nazism. The Ministry asserted that Poland should not tolerate such individuals in its parliament, emphasizing the dangers of racism and antisemitism.
The statement was accompanied by images of Berkowicz holding an Israeli flag defaced with a swastika, and a past photograph appearing to show him performing a Nazi salute. Berkowicz previously dismissed the latter as “jokes with Polish fascists.”
Berkowicz Rejects Israeli Criticism
Konrad Berkowicz responded to the Israeli Ministry’s statement, declaring, “Poland will not be your colony.” He accused Israel of attempting to dictate Polish policy and called for Israelis to “deal with the real Nazis in your government,” specifically targeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “war criminal and genocide perpetrator.”
Berkowicz further stated he wished “even more Poles” would recognize “Israeli crimes” and pledged to work towards that outcome.
Polish Government and Parliamentary Response
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz condemned Berkowicz’s stance as “unacceptable,” stating that voters, not foreign embassies, should hold him accountable. He described Berkowicz’s actions as “stupid and harmful to Poland” and called for the removal of the Israeli Ministry’s post.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maciej Wewiór, announced that Berkowicz had paid a 500 złoty fine and received the maximum parliamentary penalty – a deduction of half his salary for three months. A prosecutor is also investigating his statements.
Calls for Restraint from Diplomatic Missions
Parliamentary Speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty urged greater discretion from diplomatic missions attempting to interfere in Polish politics, asserting Poland and its politicians are subjects, not objects, in relations with other nations.
Swastika Display and Subsequent Penalties
Berkowicz displayed the altered Israeli flag during a parliamentary session last week while criticizing Israel’s actions in the Middle East, accusing them of using banned phosphorus bombs and causing civilian casualties. He stated that Israel resembled “a new Third Reich.”
Following the incident, the Speaker of the Sejm announced Berkowicz would face the highest possible penalty – a deduction of half his salary for three months – to demonstrate that such displays would not be tolerated.
Legal Investigation Underway
The Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation to determine if Berkowicz’s actions constitute public defamation of a foreign flag (Article 137 §2 of the Penal Code) or inciting hatred based on nationality, ethnicity, race, or religion (Article 257 of the Penal Code).
