A Polish lawmaker has sparked intense debate after displaying an Israeli flag with a swastika symbol during a parliamentary session in Warsaw, Poland, on 14 April 2026, in what he described as a protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
MP Konrad Berkowicz used the controversial display to criticise Israel’s military campaign, which has drawn widespread international scrutiny. Israel faces growing accusations from critics and human rights groups over its conduct in Gaza, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the subject of International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants, a claim Israel rejects.
The incident comes amid increasing global protests, with many demonstrators expressing frustration at what they see as a lack of meaningful international action. Some supporters of the lawmaker argued that extreme forms of protest reflect the level of anger and desperation felt by those who believe conventional political pressure has failed.
However, the use of Nazi imagery drew strong criticism from Israeli officials and Jewish organisations, who said such comparisons are offensive and historically inappropriate.
The controversy highlights deep divisions over the Gaza conflict, as debates continue over the boundaries of protest, political expression, and accountability in international conflicts.
