Polish MP Konrad Berkowicz accused Israel of “genocide with particular cruelty” and displayed a defaced Israeli flag in the Sejm on Tuesday.
Israeli Embassy Condemns MP’s Actions
The Israeli Embassy in Poland strongly condemned the antisemitic display by Confederation MP Konrad Berkowicz in the Polish parliament. The embassy stated the act occurred on the official Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust.
The embassy’s statement criticized Berkowicz for defacing the Israeli flag and comparing Jewish symbols and the Jewish state to Nazis, instead of expressing solidarity with Holocaust victims.
US Ambassador Expresses Fury
US Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose reacted with outrage to Berkowicz’s speech, stating, “Shame, shame, shame. Perhaps you’ve noticed that we Jews are no longer so easily pushed around, right? We defend ourselves with all our might, without apology, we stand with our friends and we know how to fight and defeat our enemies.”
Accusations of Genocide and Use of White Phosphorus
During the parliamentary session, Berkowicz alleged that “Jews use banned white phosphorus bombs that absorb oxygen from the air and lead to death by suffocation,” adding that the resulting smoke causes internal burns.
Berkowicz further claimed that Israel is committing “genocide with particular cruelty” and likened Israel to “the new Third Reich.”
Human Rights Watch Reports on White Phosphorus Use
Organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have reported for years on Israel’s use of white phosphorus, which causes severe burns upon contact with skin. The IDF recently used the weapon in Lebanon and previously in the Gaza Strip, though the IDF denies these reports.
Berkowicz’s History of Controversial Statements
Konrad Berkowicz is known for his numerous anti-Israel statements. In 2019, he sparked controversy by placing a kippah on the head of his political opponent, Anna Krupki, during a debate before the European Parliament elections.