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Grzegorz Braun, a non-attached member of the European Parliament, was removed from the chamber on Wednesday after disrupting a solemn session marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
During a minute’s silence honouring Holocaust victims, Braun, who was elected to the European Parliament from the list of Poland’s far-right Confederation (Konfederacja), shouted remarks including “let’s pray for the victims of the Jewish genocide in Gaza” and “thank you everybody for praying”, reported Polish broadcaster TVN24.
A vile display of antisemitism in the heart of European democracy.
Grzegorz Braun, the same far-right Polish MEP who extinguished a menorah in Warsaw, has once again shown his true colors, this time by desecrating the Holocaust Memorial Ceremony at the European Parliament.… pic.twitter.com/YGMYEsjTcB
— European Jewish Congress (@eurojewcong) January 29, 2025
After further outbursts, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola intervened, saying “Mr Braun, you leave the chamber now”. Her words were met with applause from MEPs.
Moments later, she asked security to escort Braun out of the chamber. As he was led away, Braun declared that “all victims are important”.
His behaviour drew sharp condemnation from fellow lawmakers.
“The true face of Confederation! Braun ejected for disorderly conduct during a special plenary session to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Shame!” wrote MEP Dariusz Joński of Civic Coalition (KO), the main group in Poland’s ruling coalition, on X.
“Grzegorz Braun desecrated with shouting the minute of silence for Holocaust victims in the European Parliament. A disgusting creature being led out of the plenary chamber by the parliament’s services,” wrote Łukasz Kohut, also of KO.
Law and Justice (PiS) MEP Tobiasz Bocheński also criticised Braun’s actions, writing on X: “He certainly did not help the cause of the civilian victims in Gaza. He has only scored himself a few points on the scale of vulgar fame. Nothing but distaste comes out of it.”
Poseł Braun darł się dziś w Parlamencie Europejskim w czasie minuty ciszy dla ofiar Holokaustu. Było to po prostu głupie.
Na pewno nie pomógł sprawie cywilnych ofiar w Gazie. Jedynie dodał sobie kilka punktów na skali prostackiej sławy. Nic poza niesmakiem z tego nie wynika.
— Tobiasz Bocheński (@TABochenski) January 29, 2025
Over the years, Braun, an eccentric, ultra-religious figure, has repeatedly attracted media attention with his controversial actions. In December 2023, he made international headlines after using a fire extinguisher to put out Hanukkah candles lit during a ceremony involving Polish-Jewish leaders and Israel’s ambassador.
He also has a long history of promoting conspiracy theories relating to Jews, LGBT+ people and the COVID pandemic.
Earlier this month, Braun was expelled from the ranks of Confederation after announcing that he would run for president, even though Sławomir Mentzen had previously been named the party’s official candidate.
Prosecutors have charged Grzegorz Braun, the far-right MP who attacked a Jewish ceremony in parliament, with the crime of insulting a religious group, which carries a potential prison sentence.
He has also been charged over a number of other incidents https://t.co/oSMecQMEB4
— Notes from Poland 🇵🇱 (@notesfrompoland) April 9, 2024
Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support.
Main image credit: Dawid Zuchowicz / Agencja Wyborcza.pl
Alicja Ptak is senior editor at Notes from Poland and a multimedia journalist. She previously worked for Reuters.
