On that occasion, Berkowicz accused Israel of being the "new Third Reich" and committing genocide in Gaza. His move was immediately condemned by the parliament's speaker, while a member of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's ruling coalition called on prosecutors to take action. Berkowicz is a member of the far-right opposition group Confederation, which holds 16 seats in the lower house of parliament, the Sejm. Speaking from the parliamentary podium, Berkowicz claimed that "the number of children killed in Gaza is many times higher than during the entire war in Ukraine." He also alleged that "Jews are using phosphorus munitions against civilians," which, he stated, causes immense suffering. "Israel is committing genocide before our eyes with particular cruelty. Israel is the new Third Reich, and its flag should look exactly like this," said Berkowicz, after which he displayed the controversial flag. Recordings of his speech were shared on social media via the official accounts of Confederation, as well as the account of one of the party's leaders, Sล‚awomir Mentzen, who wrote in English: "Israel is the new Third Reich!" According to Polish law, publicly displaying Nazi symbols is punishable by up to three years in prison if used to promote the Nazi system or incite hatred on national, ethnic, racial, or religious grounds. During the Nazi occupation in World War II, Poland suffered enormous losses, with about 17 percent of its population killed, approximately six million people, half of whom were Polish Jews. Reactions also came from the international community. U.S. Ambassador to Poland Thomas Rose sharply condemned Berkowicz's actions. "Shame on you!" Rose wrote on social media, adding that Jews today "can no longer be easily intimidated" and will defend themselves "with all their might."