The debate has intensified tensions ahead of Poland’s presidential election, with calls for greater accountability in political discourse.
During the debate, Braun, a controversial politician expelled from the far-right Confederation party, claimed that "thank God" Poland does not border "the Jewish state located in Palestine ... because if it did, the genocidal policies promoted by the ministers, rabbis, and generals of the state of Israel could easily turn against us."
He further alleged that Israel was being "foisted" on Poles as an ally and described it as "an aircraft carrier of European civilisation in the Middle East."
'Antisemitic filth'
Leftist candidate Magdalena Biejat condemned Braun’s remarks as "antisemitic filth" and announced she would file a criminal complaint against him for hate speech.
"It is scandalous that such antisemitic filth, presented by Mr. Braun at the very start of the debate, went unanswered in the studio," Biejat said during the event.
She added: "There is no excuse for using antisemitism in public debate. I will not stay silent when people say such things."
Biejat also accused Braun and another candidate, Maciej Maciak, of using the election campaign to spread "additional propaganda channels for Kremlin narratives."
After the debate, she reiterated her intention to take legal action, saying: "Tomorrow I will submit a complaint to the prosecutor’s office for hate speech, inciting aggression, and promoting hatred by candidate Grzegorz Braun."
Under Polish broadcasting regulations, radio and television programmes must not promote activities contrary to the law, Poland’s national interest, morality, or the public good. In particular, they must not incite hatred, violence, or discrimination.
The debate took a further controversial turn when Braun confronted Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, a leading presidential candidate backed by the ruling Civic Coalition (KO), accusing him of wearing "a Jewish daffodil, a symbol of shame," in reference to Trzaskowski’s recent participation in commemorations of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
The yellow daffodil is a recognised symbol of remembrance for the uprising's heroes.
"What are you talking about? Shame? This was the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. These are heroes of our history. I will not listen to this," Trzaskowski fired back, before leaving the podium early in protest.
Braun also directed a question to Sławomir Mentzen, another far-right contender, asking whether he recognised a problem of "Judaisation" in Poland.
Mentzen responded that Braun was placing "too much emphasis on the state of Israel," though he claimed that Israel’s influence in global affairs exceeded its size and that various Polish governments "sometimes prioritised Israeli interests over Polish ones."
'There should be no place in Polish politics for people like you'
On other topics, Braun accused Trzaskowski of wanting to impose "climate taxes" based on "climate delusions."
Trzaskowski countered that the climate crisis was real and that his goals included promoting clean air, renewable energy, green public spaces and securing major European Union funding.
"If you don’t understand that today we must do everything to fight for clean air, then you haven’t spoken with children suffering from asthma and their parents," Trzaskowski said.
He added: "In my view, there should be no place in Polish politics for people like you who say such vile things."
Braun also questioned Karol Nawrocki, a candidate supported by the conservative opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, asking whether Nawrocki’s proposed "deportations" would include Ukrainians brought to Poland by PiS officials.
Nawrocki responded that his stance on migration had not changed, reiterating his support for "deportation centres" instead of "integration centres."
He pledged to introduce a legislative package called "Poland First, Poles First," aiming to prioritise Polish citizens' access to public services.
Braun, a fringe candidate, has a history of outrageous self-promotion stunts, evidently aimed at sowing discord and antisemitic fervor.
Earlier this year, he was disciplined by the European Parliament for his hostility towards LGBT people, and - on another occasion - for disrupting a commemoration of victims of the Holocaust.
Poland’s presidential election is scheduled for May 18, with a potential runoff on June 1 if no candidate wins an outright majority.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP