Polish far-right party Confederation has made a significant breakthrough, entering the European Parliament for the first time after securing 12% of the vote. The party is known for its antisemitic and anti-Israel stance, setting it apart from many other right-wing parties in Europe.
This electoral success has positioned Confederation as the third largest party in Poland, trailing only the ruling party and the main opposition party Law and Justice, which is also recognized for its right-wing views. Last week, Grzegorz Braun, a prominent leader of Confederation, released an election video laced with antisemitic rhetoric, drawing condemnation from Israel's Ambassador to Poland Yacov Livne.
Video: Braun douses Hanukkah menorah in Polish parliament
Braun has previously made inflammatory statements, claiming that "the Jews have been waging war against the Polish nation for hundreds of years and tried to turn Poland into a Jewish state." In 2019, the party's chairman declared, "We don't want Jews here, we don't want LGBT, we don't want taxes, and we don't want the European Union."
Braun, now elected to the European Parliament, gained notoriety last December for extinguishing a Hanukkah menorah in the Polish parliament with a fire extinguisher, labeling Judaism as a "cult of the Talmud and Satan." Leaders of Confederation frequently allege that their political opponents serve the interests of Jews and Israel.
Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, representatives of Confederation have intensified their anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric, accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians and calling for Livne's expulsion.
The party's rise is seen as a reflection of the persistent antisemitism prevalent in certain segments of Polish society. Confederation's stance appears to resonate with these societal undercurrents, fueling their unprecedented electoral achievement.
