Jews in Germany’s far-right party feeling buyer’s remorse
“The more radical and anti-Western people are succeeding in getting the majority,” said JAfD (Jews in the AfD) co-chair Artur Abramovych.
Antisemitism
Corporate cancel culture reaches Germany with a Jewish twist
Following a boycott campaign by anonymous tweeters, Audi and Eurowings pulled ads from a popular German media outlet led by a prominent, pro-Israel German-Jewish intellectual.
German anti-Semitic arts scandal continues to foment after festival director resigns
“The devastating realization remains that in Germany in 2022, it took weeks of immense public pressure—once again almost exclusively from Jewish organizations—before the display of ‘Stürmer’ caricatures had consequences,” said Remko Leemhius, director of AJC Berlin.
Works at German art festival cause stir over anti-Israel, anti-Semitic nature
“Elements being portrayed in certain exhibits are reminiscent of propaganda used by [chief propagandist of the Nazi Party Joseph] Goebbels and his goons during darker times in German history,” said Shira Ben Tzion, spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in Berlin. “All red lines have not only been crossed; they have been shattered.”
Macron’s clear French victory underscores unease with Le Pen’s extremist baggage
French President Emmanuel Macron eases to victory among a public wary of challenger Marine Le Pen, who while having moderated her far-right image could not properly defend her past ties with Russia, her campaign fumbles, and, especially among Jews, the liability of her last name.
German anti-Semitism czar with ‘anti-Zionist’ proclivities accused of splintering Jewish community
Civil servant Michael Blume defends allegations of impropriety by going on the offensive against his Jewish accusers. The established German Jewish community supports him, demonstrating a partisan rift. Now, allegations of corruption have surfaced.
Upcoming German election prospects as lackluster as German Jewish future
The positions of political parties on Jewish German life and Israel read well on paper, as they also did in person at a pro-Israel rally in May at the Brandenburg Gate, where all parties (aside from the excluded AfD) sounded unusually strong pro-Israel rhetoric.
German politicians sound unprecedented pro-Israel rhetoric at Berlin rally
Still, some attendees wonder: Why now? What’s the source? And will it be followed by real action?
German lawmakers denounce Israel’s sovereignty plan, say ‘silence is not an option’
In a series of speeches at the Bundestag, every German party except for the right-wing AfD voted to condemn Israeli plans to apply sovereignty over Israeli-controlled areas, in the name of international law, regional stability—and friendship.
Palestinian NGOs with terrorists on the payroll eligible for EU funding
A letter issued by the European Union’s top diplomat to Palestinian territories allegedly allowing terrorists to benefit from E.U. funding has gotten pro-Israel groups concerned, especially as the E.U. equivocates on the matter.
Hezbol-Law: Behind Germany’s long-awaited ban of the terrorist organization
The move to ban the Iranian-backed Shi’ite terror group was more than a decade-long process in the famously bureaucratic Germany.
Warum sind der Iran und Deutschland so gute Freunde?
Die Absicht, der Gründung eines Regimes zu gedenken, das sich verpflichtet, Israel von der Landkarte zu tilgen, ist nur ein kleines Beispiel einer Reihe von deutschen Aktionen gegenüber dem Iran, die pro-jüdische und Menschenrechtsaktivisten dazu veranlassen, Deutschlands Reue über den Holocaust kritisch zu betrachten.
What explains Germany’s persistent, quixotic friendship with Iran?
A bungled telegram marking the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, coming on the heels of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, puts some Jewish groups on edge.
Interview with Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, Rabbi of Chabad Berlin
„Wir werden nicht untergehen“, sagt Teichtal, der 1996 „mit einem Einwegticket“ aus New York nach Berlin kam. „Wir sind froh, wir sind stolz“, gibt er zur Antwort, „sie bringen Dunkelheit, wir bringen Licht, wir werden uns nie verstecken, wir werden uns nicht unterkriegen lassen, auf keinen Fall! Never, ever, ever!“ Teichtal fordert „Nulltoleranz gegen Intoleranz“ und findet es befremdlich, „dass höchste Repräsentanten der deutschen Regierung einem Land, das Israel vernichten will, zum 40. Jahrestag der Revolution gratulieren“. Er gesteht den Deutschen ein ehrliches Bemühen um ein tolerantes Deutschland zu, sagt aber auch, dass die deutsche Gesellschaft dafür etwas tun muss: „Manchmal fehlt mir die Zivilcourage“.
Will the synagogue attack in Halle, Germany, spur pro-Jewish sentiment?
“If the political response matches the grassroots one,” Spinner added, “there should be some optimism about the possibility of Jewish life here, despite the obvious challenges.”
How sincere is German political remorse over Halle synagogue attack on Yom Kippur?
“The interconnections of modern anti-Semitism among Islamists, the far-left and the far-right are patently obvious, and [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel offers no program of action to blunt the rise of this highly dangerous form of Jew-hatred,” said Benjamin Weinthal, fellow for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an analyst of German politics.
Interview with US special envoy Elan Carr
“Anti-Semitism is evil, regardless of where it comes from”
Milo Yiannopoulos Talks About His Jewish Identity, Trump and Zionism in Berlin
The former tech editor of the pro-Trump outlet Breitbart, told the enthusiastic Hopfingerbräu crowd, “I’ve been called a racist, an anti-Semite, a misogynist, a white supremacist, a homophobe, a pedophile apologist and a transphobe. Only Islamaphobe is true.”
What’s your anti-Semitic poison? Conference tackles Jew-hatred at home and abroad
A conference on anti-Semitism in Berlin revealed varying ideological roots of contemporary anti-Semitism according to different parts of the world.
An exclusive interview with Dr. Felix Klein
Germany’s antisemitism commissioner seeks to fight hatred against Jews and Israel
Behind the Bundestag’s vote against banning the political arm of Hezbollah
Germany’s political parties shut down a motion to ban Hezbollah in large part because of the messenger: the right-wing Alternative fur Deutschland.
Germany’s ‘anti-Semitism’ czar: ‘Kipah’ advisory was made to trigger talk in troubling times
His statements have indeed triggered discussion, in addition to calls for defying the recommendation.
[WATCH] Interview with US Ambassador to Germany, Richard “Ric” Grenell
On May 8, 2018, US Ambassador Richard Grenell arrived in Berlin and quickly made an impact in Germany. Orit engages the Ambassador for a 30-minute interview for the leading German online political magazine, Achgut.com, in which he looks back on his year in Berlin and the issues that are important to him: improving the transatlantic alliance, an authentic approach to diplomacy, NATO and the Iran deal, support for Israel, and LGBT rights.
Karsenty: Jewish Leadership Unequipped to Tackle Anti-Semitism in France
The man who caught France television in alleged “Fake News” on Israel’s actions during the intifada opens up to the Jewish Journal on the current situation of Jews in France.
Communal pressure helps put pro-Israeli speakers on teacher-training program in Switzerland
A course designed for high school teachers on the Israeli-Arab conflict now offers a better range of opinions after an immediate outcry that it was biased.
Anti-Israel vote in the German Bundestag spurs criticism of Germany’s mixed Israel policies
Germany’s Free Democrats’ attempt to curb anti-Israel voting patterns fail in the Bundestag, but does it reflect the true opinions of parliament members, and will the right-wing party’s positive support of Israel change the Jewish community’s attitudes towards it?
In Germany, Odeh’s out, but Hezbollah’s in
What explains Germany’s inconsistent efforts in rooting out terrorists from its midst?
Ambassador Richard Grenell Tours the Museum of Tolerance
Ambassador Richard Grenell’s visit to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles is featured ain the Jewish Journal’s “Movers and Shakers” section.
How is the EU funding NGOs with ties to BDS?
A 34-page January report detailed the personnel and activities of 10 BDS-affiliated organizations that collectively received about 5 million euros from the E.U. in some form in the last year.
With rise in anti-Semitism, will Merkel’s support of migration pact endanger German Jews?
On the heels of several polls alerting to an alarming rise in anti-Semitism, German Chancellor Angela Merkel led the signing of a compact to facilitate migration to Europe. But what does it mean for a European Jewish population that already feels vulnerable?
Interview with Diana Feldmann in German
Die jüdische Mutter Diana Feldmann berichtet exklusiv über den Mord an ihrer Tochter Susanna durch einen illegalen Migranten aus dem Irak und die verheerenden Folgen für ihre Familie.
Germany Criticized for Not Leading Support of Israel
Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs leads critique of German government’s Israel policies at largest pro-Israel conference in Europe.
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz stakes staunchly pro-Israel position at Vienna conference
“Anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism are getting blurred, but they are two sides of the same coin,” said the Austrian leader, noting his country’s laden past regarding European Jewry. “We can’t undo history, but we can do justice to our history.”