Warsaw: Poland's Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Wlodzimierz Czarzasty has expressed disapproval towards the Israeli embassy in Warsaw for its reaction to a controversial incident involving a far-right lawmaker. The embassy had urged Polish authorities to take immediate action against Confederation lawmaker Konrad Berkowicz after he displayed an Israeli flag with a swastika in parliament, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Israeli embassy posted on social media, calling for swift action by Polish prosecutors and parliamentary authorities. The embassy emphasized that antisemitism, hate speech, and Holocaust inversion have no place in democratic Poland. The post included a past photograph of Berkowicz, further intensifying the diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

The incident occurred on April 14 when Berkowicz unfurled an Israeli flag in parliament, replacing the Star of David with a Nazi swastika. He accused Israel of being 'the new Third Reich,' causing outrage among lawmakers. Czarzasty condemned the act, stating that displaying a swastika in the Polish parliament is indefensible. He referred the case to prosecutors and imposed a financial penalty on Berkowicz, but objected to the Israeli embassy's public demands.

Czarzasty asserted that the issue is being handled within Poland and that foreign embassies should refrain from instructing Polish institutions. He highlighted that prosecutors have been notified and urged diplomatic missions to exercise greater prudence in commenting on Polish politics.

The incident underscores the sensitive political climate surrounding the conflict in Gaza in Poland. Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government has condemned antisemitism and promoted closer ties with Israel, yet it faces criticism from both the left and right regarding its response to the conflict.

The controversy also brings attention to the scrutiny faced by Confederation politicians and other far-right figures for anti-Israeli and antisemitic rhetoric. Berkowicz, who has defended his actions, claims he is being targeted for criticizing Israeli actions in Gaza. He has expressed his determination to continue speaking out despite facing legal actions.