Grzegorz Braun, a far-right Polish lawmaker, on Tuesday (Dec 12) used a fire extinguisher to put out a Hanukkah menorah (Hanukkah candles) placed in the parliament lobby.&nbsp;

The speaker of the lower chamber ordered him to exit the assembly after the incident, with people around him saying: "You should be ashamed."&nbsp;

The website of private broadcaster TVN24 posted a video of the incident, which also went viral on social media platforms.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-nation-of-two-halves-uks-persistent-wealth-inequality-poverty-pushing-it-back-into-victorian-era-668881">‘A nation of two halves’: UK’s persistent wealth inequality, poverty pushing it back into Victorian era</a>&nbsp;

The footage showed Braun of the Confederation with the fire extinguisher before walking across the lobby of the parliament to where the candles were kept.&nbsp;

He opened the extinguisher, causing a white cloud which forced security guards to rush people out of the area. People were seen covered in powder from the extinguisher.&nbsp;

After that, he took to the podium in the chamber where he described the Hanukkah as "satanic" and said he was restoring "normality".&nbsp;

On being asked about the incident and whether or not he is ashamed, Braun replied: "Those who take part in acts of Satanic worship should be ashamed."&nbsp;

Watch the video here:&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🇵🇱🚨‼️ BREAKING: Polish MP Grzegorz Braun puts out Hanukkah candles with a fire extinguisher in the parliament building! 
 
Those around him can be heard saying: “you should be ashamed.” 
 
He responds: “Those who take part in acts of the satanic cult should be ashamed.” <a href="https://t.co/JQyiHqPEvf">pic.twitter.com/JQyiHqPEvf</a>
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MyLordBebo/status/1734626971517124931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/passport-less-flight-mystery-russian-man-arrives-in-us-without-ticket-or-visa-fbi-digs-into-unusual-case-669031">Russian man arrives in US without ticket or visa, FBI investigates bizarre incident</a>&nbsp;

<h2>'No tolerance for racism, xenophobia, antisemitism'&nbsp;</h2>

Szymon Holownia, the speaker of the lower chamber, asked him to go out of the assembly. Holownia further noted that Braun would inform prosecutors about his actions.&nbsp;

Braun shook hands with other far-right lawmakers as he left the chamber.&nbsp;

"There will be no tolerance for racism, xenophobia, antisemitism ... as long as I am the speaker of parliament," Holownia told reporters.&nbsp;

While speaking to the news agency Reuters on the phone, Poland's Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich said that Braun's actions were not representative of the country and that he was "embarrassed" by them.&nbsp;

He added, "Someone extinguished the Hanukkah candles and a few minutes later we relit them. For thousands of years, our enemies have been trying to extinguish us, from the time of the Maccabees right through to Hamas. But our enemies should learn, they cannot extinguish us."

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Grzegorz Braun, a far-right Polish lawmaker, on Tuesday (Dec 12) used a fire extinguisher to put out a Hanukkah menorah (Hanukkah candles) placed in the parliament lobby.

Grzegorz Braun, a far-right Polish lawmaker, on Tuesday (Dec 12) used a fire extinguisher to put out a Hanukkah menorah (Hanukkah candles) placed in the parliament lobby. The speaker of the lower chamber ordered him to exit the assembly after the incident, with people around him saying: "You should be ashamed." The website of private broadcaster TVN24 posted a video of the incident, which also went viral on social media platforms. Also read: ‘A nation of two halves’: UK’s persistent wealth inequality, poverty pushing it back into Victorian era The footage showed Braun of the Confederation with the fire extinguisher before walking across the lobby of the parliament to where the candles were kept. He opened the extinguisher, causing a white cloud which forced security guards to rush people out of the area. People were seen covered in powder from the extinguisher. After that, he took to the podium in the chamber where he described the Hanukkah as "satanic" and said he was restoring "normality". On being asked about the incident and whether or not he is ashamed, Braun replied: "Those who take part in acts of Satanic worship should be ashamed." Watch the video here: 🇵🇱🚨‼️ BREAKING: Polish MP Grzegorz Braun puts out Hanukkah candles with a fire extinguisher in the parliament building! Those around him can be heard saying: “you should be ashamed.” He responds: “Those who take part in acts of the satanic cult should be ashamed.” pic.twitter.com/JQyiHqPEvf — Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) December 12, 2023 × Also read: Russian man arrives in US without ticket or visa, FBI investigates bizarre incident 'No tolerance for racism, xenophobia, antisemitism' Szymon Holownia, the speaker of the lower chamber, asked him to go out of the assembly. Holownia further noted that Braun would inform prosecutors about his actions. Braun shook hands with other far-right lawmakers as he left the chamber. "There will be no tolerance for racism, xenophobia, antisemitism ... as long as I am the speaker of parliament," Holownia told reporters. While speaking to the news agency Reuters on the phone, Poland's Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich said that Braun's actions were not representative of the country and that he was "embarrassed" by them. He added, "Someone extinguished the Hanukkah candles and a few minutes later we relit them. For thousands of years, our enemies have been trying to extinguish us, from the time of the Maccabees right through to Hamas. But our enemies should learn, they cannot extinguish us." (With inputs from agencies)

Video: Far-right Polish lawmaker uses fire extinguisher to put out Hanukkah candles

Washington's biggest Hanukkah shindig is known to be the biggest and the booziest celebration ever. Bringing together Jewish people over hot potato latkes, a vodka bar and Israeli-style sufganyot, or jelly-filled doughnuts for the past 28 years, the massive party is hosted by DC publicist Steve Rabinowitz.

However, this year the coveted invite-only&nbsp;celebration of the eight-day festival of lights has been cancelled, and it's not the only one. The reason? Israel-Hamas war.

<h2>Toned down, cancelled Hanukkah celebrations&nbsp;</h2>

In Virginia, as per ABC News, a menorah lighting at a Virginian art and music festival was reportedly cancelled over apparent concerns related to the ongoing war in the Middle East. Talking to the Gazette, Shirley Vermillion, the festival's founder, said the menorah lighting "seemed very inappropriate" given the conflict.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-officials-believe-israel-to-end-ground-operation-in-gaza-by-january-report-666718">US officials believe Israel will end ground operations in southern Gaza by January: Report</a>

The event was scheduled for a monthly art and musical festival happening on December 10.

At the same time, the White House is yet to announce if and how it will celebrate the eight-day festival.

Across the US, there is an uptick in the number of Hanukkah events getting cancelled. Some escaped cancellation, but have been toned down.

<h2>White House reacts</h2>

Speaking during a news briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that "every action" had been taken in an apparent attempt to help make the Jewish community feel safe.

"We have seen an uptick in hate, just more broadly, in different communities—obviously, also in the Muslim community. And so, we will do everything that we can to make sure that these communities feel safe," she added.

"Obviously, over the past couple of weeks since this—certainly since this war started, we have seen the increase of antisemitism. You know, we understand the fear that people in the Jewish community must be feeling right now, which is why we have taken action to do everything that we can to make sure that people in that community feel protected. And so, that's what we're going to continue to do."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/69-million-children-in-rich-countries-living-in-poverty-unicef-666670">69 million children in 'rich' countries living in poverty: UNICEF</a>

<h2>Backlash</h2>

The cancellations have triggered a backlash.

Reacting to the news of cancellation at the music festival, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said: "Singling out the Jewish community by cancelling this Hanukkah celebration is absurd and antisemitic. The event organisers should immediately reconsider their actions and move forward with the menorah lighting."

In a post on X, former Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, a Democrat, also echoed similar sentiments. She said: "Cancelling the menorah lighting ceremony and holding Jewish people responsible for the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is shocking and outrageous. This type of hate has no place in Virginia."

Washington's biggest Hanukkah shindig is known to be the biggest and the booziest celebration ever. Bringing together Jewish people over hot potato latkes, a vodka bar and Israeli-style sufganyot, or jelly-filled doughnuts for the past 28 years, the massive party is hosted by DC publicist Steve Rabinowitz.

Washington's biggest Hanukkah shindig is known to be the biggest and the booziest celebration ever. Bringing together Jewish people over hot potato latkes, a vodka bar and Israeli-style sufganyot, or jelly-filled doughnuts for the past 28 years, the massive party is hosted by DC publicist Steve Rabinowitz. However, this year the coveted invite-only celebration of the eight-day festival of lights has been cancelled, and it's not the only one. The reason? Israel-Hamas war. Toned down, cancelled Hanukkah celebrations In Virginia, as per ABC News, a menorah lighting at a Virginian art and music festival was reportedly cancelled over apparent concerns related to the ongoing war in the Middle East. Talking to the Gazette, Shirley Vermillion, the festival's founder, said the menorah lighting "seemed very inappropriate" given the conflict. Also read | US officials believe Israel will end ground operations in southern Gaza by January: Report The event was scheduled for a monthly art and musical festival happening on December 10. At the same time, the White House is yet to announce if and how it will celebrate the eight-day festival. Across the US, there is an uptick in the number of Hanukkah events getting cancelled. Some escaped cancellation, but have been toned down. White House reacts Speaking during a news briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that "every action" had been taken in an apparent attempt to help make the Jewish community feel safe. "We have seen an uptick in hate, just more broadly, in different communities—obviously, also in the Muslim community. And so, we will do everything that we can to make sure that these communities feel safe," she added. "Obviously, over the past couple of weeks since this—certainly since this war started, we have seen the increase of antisemitism. You know, we understand the fear that people in the Jewish community must be feeling right now, which is why we have taken action to do everything that we can to make sure that people in that community feel protected. And so, that's what we're going to continue to do." Also read | 69 million children in 'rich' countries living in poverty: UNICEF Backlash The cancellations have triggered a backlash. Reacting to the news of cancellation at the music festival, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said: "Singling out the Jewish community by cancelling this Hanukkah celebration is absurd and antisemitic. The event organisers should immediately reconsider their actions and move forward with the menorah lighting." In a post on X, former Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, a Democrat, also echoed similar sentiments. She said: "Cancelling the menorah lighting ceremony and holding Jewish people responsible for the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is shocking and outrageous. This type of hate has no place in Virginia."

Hanukkah events toned down or scrapped across US in wake of Israel-Hamas war

Thousands&nbsp;marched over the Brooklyn Bridge in&nbsp;New&nbsp;York&nbsp;City&nbsp;on Sunday in a show of solidarity with the area's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-in-latest-attack-on-jewish-sites-cemetery-vandalised-in-philadelphia-12840">Jewish community</a> following a spate of&nbsp;anti-Semitic violence in recent weeks, including the stabbing attack on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-hanukkah-party-attacker-produced-in-court-denies-charges-270907">Hanukkah</a> celebrants at a rabbi's home.

The interfaith protest, sponsored by the&nbsp;Anti-Defamation League and other Jewish groups, began at Manhattan's Foley Square before proceeding across the East River into Brooklyn for a rally at Cadman Plaza as&nbsp;marchers chanted, "No hate, no fear."

"I am so grateful to the people of all faiths who have come here today, Christian and Jewish, Hindu and Muslim, and every other faith, to say that we&nbsp;New&nbsp;Yorkers and we Americans will not stand for hate and bigotry," US&nbsp;Senator Chuck Schumer of&nbsp;New&nbsp;York, told the crowd.

The Senate Democratic leader was joined by several other prominent fellow&nbsp;New&nbsp;York&nbsp;Democrats, including Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio, and US&nbsp;Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

"It was just very inspiring, and I hope that people recognize that we are strong and that we will not allow this&nbsp;anti-Semitism&nbsp;that has been rampant in&nbsp;New&nbsp;York&nbsp;City&nbsp;and in the tri-state area and in America to continue," said demonstrator Gail Senten.

"An attack on any house of worship is an attack on all houses of worship," Ismael Claudio, bishop of the Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ in Brooklyn, told USA Today. "I'm standing with my Jewish brothers and sisters. Today [it's] them: tomorrow, might be us."

The&nbsp;march&nbsp;came just over a week after a man armed with a machete burst into the home of a Hasidic rabbi in suburban Monsey,&nbsp;New&nbsp;York, in the midst of a Hanukkah celebration, and began slashing at guests before he fled.

Six people were wounded, one of them a 72-year-old man who suffered devastating machete blows to his head, arm, and neck that left him comatose and unlikely to recover, according to family members.

The 37-year-old suspect, described by his attorney as suffering from severe mental illness, was arrested after fleeing to Manhattan. He faces six counts of attempted murder in state court, and was charged separately with federal hate crimes by US&nbsp;prosecutors citing journals they said he kept with references to Adolf Hitler and "Nazi culture."

The stabbing in Monsey, a hub of Hasidic life in Rockland County's heavily ultra-Orthodox Jewish community north of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-city-bans-flavoured-e-cigarettes-protesters-kicked-out-of-hearing-264770">New&nbsp;York&nbsp;City</a>, capped a string of incidents in which Jews have been physically attacked or accosted in the greater&nbsp;New&nbsp;York&nbsp;City&nbsp;area in recent weeks. Two Hasidic Jews were killed in a shooting at a kosher supermarket in Jersey&nbsp;City,&nbsp;New&nbsp;Jersey, last month. The two assailants in that assault were killed by police.

New&nbsp;York's police commissioner said last week that&nbsp;anti-Jewish hate crimes had jumped 21 percent last year, reflecting a rise in&nbsp;anti-Semitic incidents reported across the county.

Thousands marched over the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Sunday in a show of solidarity with the area's Jewish community following a spate of anti-Semitic violence in recent weeks, including the stabbing attack on Hanukkah celebrants at a rabbi's home.

Thousands marched over the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Sunday in a show of solidarity with the area's Jewish community following a spate of anti-Semitic violence in recent weeks, including the stabbing attack on Hanukkah celebrants at a rabbi's home. The interfaith protest, sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League and other Jewish groups, began at Manhattan's Foley Square before proceeding across the East River into Brooklyn for a rally at Cadman Plaza as marchers chanted, "No hate, no fear." "I am so grateful to the people of all faiths who have come here today, Christian and Jewish, Hindu and Muslim, and every other faith, to say that we New Yorkers and we Americans will not stand for hate and bigotry," US Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, told the crowd. The Senate Democratic leader was joined by several other prominent fellow New York Democrats, including Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio, and US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. "It was just very inspiring, and I hope that people recognize that we are strong and that we will not allow this anti-Semitism that has been rampant in New York City and in the tri-state area and in America to continue," said demonstrator Gail Senten. "An attack on any house of worship is an attack on all houses of worship," Ismael Claudio, bishop of the Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ in Brooklyn, told USA Today. "I'm standing with my Jewish brothers and sisters. Today [it's] them: tomorrow, might be us." The march came just over a week after a man armed with a machete burst into the home of a Hasidic rabbi in suburban Monsey, New York, in the midst of a Hanukkah celebration, and began slashing at guests before he fled. Six people were wounded, one of them a 72-year-old man who suffered devastating machete blows to his head, arm, and neck that left him comatose and unlikely to recover, according to family members. The 37-year-old suspect, described by his attorney as suffering from severe mental illness, was arrested after fleeing to Manhattan. He faces six counts of attempted murder in state court, and was charged separately with federal hate crimes by US prosecutors citing journals they said he kept with references to Adolf Hitler and "Nazi culture." The stabbing in Monsey, a hub of Hasidic life in Rockland County's heavily ultra-Orthodox Jewish community north of New York City, capped a string of incidents in which Jews have been physically attacked or accosted in the greater New York City area in recent weeks. Two Hasidic Jews were killed in a shooting at a kosher supermarket in Jersey City, New Jersey, last month. The two assailants in that assault were killed by police. New York's police commissioner said last week that anti-Jewish hate crimes had jumped 21 percent last year, reflecting a rise in anti-Semitic incidents reported across the county.

Thousands march in New York City against anti-Semitism in wake of attacks

Israelis celebrate Hanukkah with candlelight and doughnuts

New York police responded to a "mass stabbing" at an Orthodox rabbi's house in the suburb of Monsey during Hanukkah celebrations late Saturday.

5 stabbed at Hanukkah celebration in New York

The suspect involved in the knife attack at a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/an-act-of-domestic-terrorism-new-york-governor-on-knife-rampage-at-rabbis-home-270882">Hanukkah party in New York</a> denied all charges after appearing in court on Sunday.

Grafton Thomas, the alleged suspect, had entered a house in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mass-stabbing-reported-at-jewish-place-of-worship-in-new-york-270818">Monsey, Rockland County </a>on Saturday in New York and stabbed several people. Police later caught and detained Thomas in Harlem after stopping his car as&nbsp;he reportedly fled the scene.

"We have nothing to indicate at this time that there were other people (involved), but that will be part of a very lengthy, very methodical and thorough investigation," New York Police Department Commissioner Dermot Shea said.

Rockland County where the attack took place is largely a Jewish neighbourhood.

<img alt="New York Hanukkah party" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="419370cd-6819-4f7c-8ef3-e97175990136" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2849%29_0.jpg" />

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the attack was meant to create "harm, mass violence, generate fear based on race, colour, creed."

The incident was widely condemned with US President Trump tweeting that "Americans must all come together to fight, confront, and eradicate the evil scourge of anti-semitism."

There have been several incidents of anti-semitic attack in the New York and New Jersey in the past year.

According to the the New York Police Department&nbsp;there has been a twenty one per cent increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes this year. A Jewish body reported that at least ten anti-semitic incidents have taken in New York and New Jersey.

<img alt="New York Hanukkah party" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a2000209-fa94-4f65-853d-76a64978e5e3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2850%29_0.jpg" />

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack while offering assistance to the victims.

"We send our best wishes for recovery to the wounded. We will cooperate however possible with the local authorities in order to assist in defeating this phenomenon," the Israeli prime minister said.

The suspect involved in the knife attack at a Hanukkah party in New York denied all charges after appearing in court on Sunday. Grafton Thomas, the alleged suspect, had entered a house in Monsey, Rockland County on Saturday in New York and stabbed several people.

The suspect involved in the knife attack at a Hanukkah party in New York denied all charges after appearing in court on Sunday. Grafton Thomas, the alleged suspect, had entered a house in Monsey, Rockland County on Saturday in New York and stabbed several people. Police later caught and detained Thomas in Harlem after stopping his car as he reportedly fled the scene. "We have nothing to indicate at this time that there were other people (involved), but that will be part of a very lengthy, very methodical and thorough investigation," New York Police Department Commissioner Dermot Shea said. Rockland County where the attack took place is largely a Jewish neighbourhood. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the attack was meant to create "harm, mass violence, generate fear based on race, colour, creed." The incident was widely condemned with US President Trump tweeting that "Americans must all come together to fight, confront, and eradicate the evil scourge of anti-semitism." There have been several incidents of anti-semitic attack in the New York and New Jersey in the past year. According to the the New York Police Department there has been a twenty one per cent increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes this year. A Jewish body reported that at least ten anti-semitic incidents have taken in New York and New Jersey. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack while offering assistance to the victims. "We send our best wishes for recovery to the wounded. We will cooperate however possible with the local authorities in order to assist in defeating this phenomenon," the Israeli prime minister said.

New York Hanukkah party attacker produced in court; denies charges