Polish MP Franciszek Sterczewski has been penalised by the Civic Coalition party with a financial fine for unexcused absences from parliamentary sessions, following his involvement in a Gaza humanitarian mission.
KO Club Imposes Financial Penalty
The Civic Coalition (KO) leadership announced that Franciszek Sterczewski will receive a financial sanction for “unjustified absences from parliamentary sessions.” Club spokesman Tomasz Nowak explained that any MP who fails to attend sessions without a formal excuse is subject to monetary penalties.
Sterczewski had not been present at the Sejm since September, when he departed for the Global Sumud Flotilla operation.
Global Sumud Flotilla Mission Details
The expedition aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and break the Israeli maritime blockade. The ships were seized by Israeli forces while operating in international waters, mere dozens of nautical miles from Gaza, and the activists—including Sterczewski—were detained and later deported.
KO’s View on Sterczewski’s Participation
Club spokeswoman Dorota Łoboda stated that Sterczewski did not report a leave of absence or seek the club’s approval for the mission, informing the party only after leaving Poland and after the mission had begun. She noted that the politician acted “with the right to decide” and that some MPs criticised his approach.
An anonymous club member acknowledged that although the club was concerned, it did not initially intend to penalise him. Nonetheless, the financial fine was imposed.
A senior KO staffer working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggested that Sterczewski’s claims of mistreatment by Israeli detention facilities were exaggerated and that he had been warned about potential risks before the mission.
Sterczewski’s Critique of Minister Sikorski
After returning to Poland, Sterczewski expressed frustration with Vice‑Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, accusing him of trivialising the situation in Gaza during efforts to halt the humanitarian crisis. He said he expected a change in Polish government policy rather than a resignation.
He highlighted his own activist efforts and called for consistency in condemning war crimes, demanding that the minister apply the same scrutiny to Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions.
