Once again, Germany defines who is a Jew | Part II
JVL Introduction
This is the second part of a conversation between George Prochnik and two researcher-activists, Emily Dische-Becker and Eyal Weizman (see Part 1 here).
This one took place after October 7.
It provides a moving account of the extreme form of repression of all solidarity with Palestine that is embedding itself ever more deeply in German society.
The effects of Germany’s uncritical support for Israel/Jews have been to amplify both antisemitism and Islamophobia, with mounting hate crimes against both Jews and Muslims the direct consequence.
Israel is above all criticism while Palestinians are deprived of the right even to grieve, and Jewish fear is “being used as a lubricant for German racism and for a right-wing politics.”
RK
This article was originally published by Granta on Wed 29 Nov 2023. Read the original here.
Once Again, Germany Defines Who Is a Jew | Part II
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The word that occurs to me in reading this article is “Dummheit” (stupidity), which is a long-standing characteristic of people in charge of Germany.
Dummheit has been displayed over the years, but what people can forget is that a counter to it can be magnanimity in victory which Churchill proclaimed to be necessary.
If people want to unite a country, they must be able to discuss differences and reach reconciliation. “Alle Menschen werden Brudern” (all people become brothers) shouldn’t be an unattainable ideal, but a part of the process towards peace and freedom.
I write this as one whose mother was expelled from Heidelberg University in 1934 for anti-Nazi activities.
The Federal Republic supported Israel from the start, serving two purposes. It was a convenient way to be seen to make reparations, easier dealing on a state-to-state basis than with resentful individuals. It also served Adenauer’s drive to integrate West Germany into the Western bloc, along with re-armament, NATO membership and co-founding the European institutions.
Over the years, this support for Israel, that originated in calculation and realpolitik, developed into what amounts to a cult of veneration.
Then 2023 caused real soul-searching in Germany: a far-right government under a PM accused of corruption, extremists in the cabinet seeking to undermine fundamental rights and the judiciary? This was not the shining ideal at whose altar Germany had worshipped for so long.
There was almost a sense of relief in the German political and media establishment on 7 October: it was back to unconditional support with any concerns swept vigorously under the carpet.
On 26 October, Chancellor Scholz told the EU summit: “Israel is a democratic state with very humanitarian principles that guide it. Therefore, one can be certain, that in its actions the Israeli army too will keep to the rules that arise from international law. I have no doubt of that.”
But even before 7 Oct, this unconditional support gained a new purpose: to be weaponised against ethnic minorities, immigrants, asylum-seekers. Mainstream politicians have leapt on the bandwagon.
Green Party Vice-Chancellor Habeck: Muslims in Germany must “distance themselves from antisemitism in order not to undermine their own entitlement to TOLERANCE.” [My emphasis]
Opposition (CDU) leader Merz calling for a ban on refugees from Gaza: “We have enough antisemitic young men in the country.”
Meanwhile the extreme-right racist AfD, staunch proponent of measures supporting Israel, is polling as the second biggest party nationally.
Germany is on a dangerous path.
South Africa to the rescue
Ask the German government to publish legal advice on the Genocide in Gaza, ask them to confirm they will abide by any order made by the ICJ
Ask an even simpler question using publicised comments made by numerous Israelis calling for the annihilation of Palestinians
‘Is it even possible for Jews to commit Genocide’
For me the answer is Yes, this evil is in all of us
Germany neds to be the guarantor of ‘Never Again’ the world over
There are two questions in every conflict. One on each side.
The ‘trick’ is to listen to both questions and discuss them.
Much better than using propaganda and killing each other.
P.S. So welcome to get two German perspectives, on this matter.
“The word that occurs to me in reading this article is “Dummheit” (stupidity), which is a long-standing characteristic of people in charge of Germany.”
What could be more stupid than imagining that you can atone for Lebensraum in Europe by supporting Lebensraum in the Middle East ?
The link (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/11/artists-urged-to-reject-german-institutions-over-berlins-stance-on-gaza) is to a article in which 500 well-known arts professionals (including winners of highly prestigious international awards) explain the “strike” they’re organising to change Germany’s default approaches towards Palestine and Israel. They starkly present the case for change – don’t support genocide.