Right-wing Polish politician puts kippah on head of rival during TV debate
Konrad Berkowicz, 35, accused of antisemitism after putting the head covering on Anna Krupka
A far-right Polish politician placed a kippah on the head of a senior government official during a televised debate.
Konrad Berkowicz, 35, placed the Jewish skullcap on the head of Anna Krupka, a state secretary for sports and culture and lawmaker for the ruling right-wing Law and Justice Party, on Saturday during a debate in Kielce, a southern city in Poland that was the site of an infamous pogrom of Polish Jews by their non-Jewish neighbours in 1946.
Krupka kept speaking for several minutes while wearing the object that Berkowicz, a senior member of the Korwin far-right party, placed on her head without her noticing.
The action was taken to be intended as an insult for Krupka.
Separately, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki reiterated his government’s objection to offering what he called “damages” over issues that go back to World War II.
“If today anyone says that Poland has to pay damages to anyone, then we disagree and will continue to do so and it will not happen as long as the country is ruled by Law and Justice,” Morawiecki said during a party event in Lodz on Friday.
“If there were such a terrible injustice, inverting torturer and victim, it would contradict any elementary principle of international law. This would also be Hitler’s posthumous victory, which is why we will never allow it,” Morawiecki added.
Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom and Jewish groups have protested Poland’s failure to pass laws offering restitution for private-owned property lost to Jews in the Holocaust.
Watch the video of the incident here:
European elections in Poland: The Confederate candidate put a jewish Kippah on the head of the PiS candidate and says "The PiS kneels before the Jews" pic.twitter.com/SMHMKXX7NL
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) May 19, 2019
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
