2023-05-27 17:18:00
Anti-Semitism Commissioner warns
Klein: Ukraine war fuels hatred of Jews in Germany
05/27/2023, 7:18 p.m
When people come under pressure in crises, they like to use conspiracy myths with an anti-Semitic core as an explanation. This is also the case in the case of high energy prices as a result of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, reports the German government’s anti-Semitism commissioner.
According to anti-Semitism commissioner Felix Klein, the Ukraine war and its consequences are fueling hatred of Jews in Germany. “In times of crisis and uncertainty, people become more susceptible to irrational explanations,” Klein told the Funke media group. “When people find it difficult to pay their electricity and gas bills, they quickly look for someone to blame. A common explanation is conspiracy myths with an anti-Semitic core.”
Klein also reported on pro-Russian demonstrations in which participants pinned a Jewish star in Russian colors with the inscription: “Tomorrow we?”. The suffering of the Jews under National Socialism was used as an instrument.
Klein referred to a new study by the Otto Brenner Foundation, according to which anti-Semitism is far too often understood as a marginal phenomenon. “But it’s not only to be found in right-wing extremism or Islamism, but also in progressive milieus, in the art and culture industry,” he said. “The exhibition of anti-Semitic art at the Documenta in Kassel showed that hatred of Jews is played down in these circles.” That worries him greatly.
“Inhibition threshold for acts of violence is falling”
Klein warned: “The trivialization of anti-Semitism leads directly to the fact that the inhibition threshold for anti-Semitic acts of violence decreases – up to and including terrorism.” One example is the assassination attempt in Halle in 2019. The assassin saw anti-Semitic images online, became radicalized and committed a right-wing terrorist attack. “The man had images in his head of the kind that could also be seen at the Documenta: Jews as pigs, Jews as child torturers,” said the government official. The crime statistics also give a clear indication. “The number of anti-Semitic acts of violence rose from 64 to 88 last year. That also has something to do with this trivialization of anti-Semitism,” Klein stated.
Klein criticized the police and the judiciary sharply. Anti-Semitic crimes are not sanctioned enough. Frequently, it is only in extreme cases that Nazi propaganda is acted upon and far too seldom recognized when the Holocaust is denied or put into perspective.
“The police and the judiciary must be made more aware in systematic training courses that basic rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of art do not go infinitely far,” Klein demanded. “They can be restricted if, for example, inciting content is shown at an event. I think the state shouldn’t be tolerant of such intolerance.” The police must break up a demonstration if “death to the Jews” or “death to Israel” is shouted.
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