Polish Far-Right MP Konrad Berkowicz Sparks Outrage by Displaying Modified Israeli Flag with Swastika in Parliament, Declaring “Israel Is the New Third Reich”

Reflecto News
April 15, 2026

In a highly provocative incident on April 14, 2026, Polish Member of Parliament Konrad Berkowicz of the far-right Confederation (Konfederacja) party held up a modified Israeli flag in the Sejm (Poland’s lower house of parliament), with the Star of David replaced by a Nazi swastika. During his speech, Berkowicz accused Israel of committing “genocide with particular cruelty” in Gaza and Lebanon, and declared, “Israel is the new Third Reich, and its flag should look exactly like this.”

The stunt, which occurred shortly before the annual March of the Living at Auschwitz-Birkenau, drew immediate condemnation from parliamentary leaders, Jewish organizations, and international observers as antisemitic and deeply offensive.

Konrad Berkowicz, a vice-chairman of the far-right Confederation party, has a history of nationalist and anti-establishment rhetoric.

What Happened in the Sejm

During a parliamentary debate, Berkowicz unfurled the altered blue-and-white flag from the rostrum. He accused Israel of war crimes, including the alleged use of white phosphorus against civilians, and equated its policies with those of Nazi Germany. Party co-leader Sławomir Mentzen amplified the remarks by sharing video of the speech online.

The parliamentary speaker condemned the display, and MPs from Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s ruling coalition called for prosecutorial action. Jewish groups and Holocaust remembrance organizations described the act as a grotesque trivialization of Nazi atrocities and a dangerous escalation of antisemitic rhetoric in Polish politics.

Reactions and Condemnations

• Polish parliamentary authorities labeled the incident unacceptable and emphasized respect for historical memory, especially given Poland’s central role in the Holocaust.
• Israeli officials and Jewish organizations worldwide expressed outrage, calling the comparison a blatant form of Holocaust inversion and antisemitism.
• Polish Jewish leaders warned that such rhetoric fuels hatred and undermines Poland’s efforts to confront its own complex history with antisemitism.
• International media, including The Times of Israel and Notes from Poland, highlighted the timing near Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) observances.

Berkowicz and the Confederation party have a track record of nationalist, anti-immigration, and occasionally conspiratorial positions. The party has previously faced criticism for antisemitic undertones, though it denies such accusations.

Broader Context

Poland maintains strong official ties with Israel and is one of Europe’s most vocal supporters of Israel in certain security matters. However, fringe political elements have increasingly used the Israel-Gaza conflict to push inflammatory narratives. The incident underscores ongoing challenges with antisemitism and historical revisionism in parts of European politics.

This event occurs against a backdrop of heightened global tensions, including the ongoing Iran conflict, where inflammatory rhetoric and accusations of “genocide” have proliferated on multiple sides.

Conclusion

The display of a swastika-modified Israeli flag in Poland’s parliament represents a shocking and widely condemned provocation. While Berkowicz framed it as political protest, critics argue it crosses into explicit antisemitism by equating the Jewish state with the regime responsible for the murder of six million Jews during the Holocaust.

Polish authorities and mainstream parties have distanced themselves from the remarks, but the episode highlights persistent fringe extremism in the country’s political landscape.

Reflecto News will monitor any further developments, including potential legal consequences or official responses from Polish or Israeli governments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What exactly did Konrad Berkowicz do?
He displayed an Israeli flag with the Star of David replaced by a Nazi swastika in the Sejm and stated, “Israel is the new Third Reich,” while accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and Lebanon.

Which party does Berkowicz belong to?
He is a member of the far-right Confederation (Konfederacja) party, known for nationalist and anti-establishment positions.

When did this incident occur?
April 14, 2026, during a parliamentary session.

How was the act received?
It was widely condemned by the parliamentary speaker, ruling coalition MPs, Jewish organizations, and international observers as antisemitic and offensive, especially given its timing near Holocaust remembrance events.

Has Berkowicz faced consequences?
Calls for prosecutorial action have been made, but no immediate legal outcome has been reported. The Confederation party has amplified rather than distanced itself from the remarks.

For continued coverage of political incidents in Europe, antisemitism concerns, and international relations, stay with Reflecto News.