A far-right Polish lawmaker sparked widespread outrage on Tuesday after displaying a paper Israeli flag defaced with a swastika inside the national parliament, an act that drew sharp condemnation from the Israeli embassy, lawmakers, and diplomats. Konrad Berkowicz, a member of the far-right nationalist Konfederacja (Confederation) opposition party, used the symbol during a parliamentary address in which he accused Israel of committing what he described as “genocide” in the Middle East. His remarks and actions immediately triggered backlash in a chamber deeply sensitive to Nazi symbolism due to Poland’s Holocaust history.

During his speech, Berkowicz went further, comparing Israel to a “new Third Reich” before brandishing the altered flag, where the Star of David had been replaced by a swastika. The display prompted audible anger and condemnation from fellow parliamentarians, who reacted strongly to what they called an unacceptable use of Nazi imagery in the legislative chamber. The parliament speaker quickly intervened, describing the act as “unjustified” and signalling that disciplinary action would be pursued against the lawmaker.

The speaker later confirmed that a motion was being prepared to impose penalties on Berkowicz for “presenting Nazi symbols in the chamber". The incident has intensified political tensions in Poland, a country that suffered immense devastation under Nazi Germany and where millions of Jews were killed during the Holocaust. The display of such symbolism in the parliament has been widely seen as particularly provocative given this historical context.

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The Israeli embassy in Poland issued a strong condemnation, calling the act an “antisemitic horror” and urging Polish authorities to respond decisively. The embassy further noted the timing of the incident, which coincided with the annual “March of the Living” at Auschwitz, a commemorative event honouring Holocaust victims. The embassy said the act was especially painful as Holocaust survivors were gathering at the former Nazi death camp to remember those killed during World War II.

The controversy escalated further as Berkowicz also accused the Israeli military of using white phosphorus in the Middle East, claiming it had caused severe suffering and deaths among civilians. Israel has previously rejected similar allegations, stating it could not confirm such claims, while human rights organisations have raised concerns in specific contexts. His remarks added further fuel to the already heated diplomatic and political reaction surrounding his parliamentary protest.

The incident also drew a strong response from the United States ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, who condemned Berkowicz’s actions in forceful terms on social media. Calling the display "shameful", Rose emphasized solidarity with Jewish communities and referenced his participation in the Auschwitz remembrance event earlier the same day. The controversy has since continued to draw international attention, highlighting deep sensitivities around Holocaust memory, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the use of extremist symbolism in political discourse.

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