During a parliamentary session, Polish MP Konrad Berkowicz displayed a modified Israeli flag featuring a swastika, prompting condemnation and a legal investigation.
Berkowicz’s Actions and Wipler’s Defense
Konrad Berkowicz, a member of the Confederation party, displayed a printed and altered Israeli flag in the Sejm (Polish Parliament) on Tuesday, April 16th, replacing the Star of David with a swastika. He made the gesture while discussing Israeli attacks using white phosphorus bombs and referred to Israel as “the new Third Reich.”
Fellow Confederation MP Przemysław Wipler defended Berkowicz, stating the act was not spontaneous or an individual decision, but rather a planned action. Wipler claimed Sławomir Mentzen was aware of Berkowicz’s intentions and did not believe expulsion from the Confederation was warranted.
Understanding Berkowicz’s Motives
Wipler personally disapproved of Berkowicz’s actions but stated he understood the reasoning behind them. He referenced the International Criminal Court’s pursuit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and argued that the war initiated by Netanyahu had resulted in more casualties than the war in Ukraine.
Reactions and Legal Consequences
The incident occurred on the Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust (Yom Ha-Shoah in Israel). Tomasz Nyczka of Wyborcza.pl noted that Berkowicz’s actions appeared strategically timed to appeal to Mentzen.
The Israeli and US embassies protested the display, and the Sejm Marshal reported the incident to the prosecutor’s office. The Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation to determine if Berkowicz’s actions constitute public defamation of a foreign flag or inciting hatred based on national or ethnic origin.
Context and Public Sentiment
Wipler acknowledged the unfortunate timing of the incident but emphasized the seriousness of the topic of genocide, specifically referencing the situation in the Gaza Strip. He suggested that many Poles share Berkowicz’s views, citing research indicating widespread opposition to Israeli policies and support for Berkowicz’s actions based on online comments.