Ambassador Prosor: Left-wing anti-Semitism threatens our freedom!

Ambassador Prosor: Left-wing anti-Semitism threatens our freedom!

The Israeli ambassador in Berlin, Ron Prosor, expressed concern about the increasing forms of anti-Semitism in Europe in a recent statement. In his words, left-wing anti-Semitism in particular poses a serious threat because it crosses the line between freedom of expression and freedom of incitement. Prosor emphasizes that in many European countries, especially in universities and theaters, Israel is demonized and delegitimized. This development not only endangers the Jewish community, but also social integrity as a whole.

A drastic example of this problem is the disinvitation of the Israeli conductor Lahav Shani from a festival in Belgium, which Prosor criticizes as purely anti-Semitic. The cancellation of the Munich Philharmonic's guest performance in September was also seen as anti-Semitic and showed that prejudices extend into the cultural and art scene. The Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever has now distanced himself from this decision and acknowledged the associated damage to Belgium.

The fear of the Jewish community

There is apparently a climate of fear among Jews in Germany. Prosor reports that many Jews are buying apartments in Israel to escape the growing threat in Germany. He repeatedly receives inquiries about security in Berlin, particularly with regard to the visibility of religious symbols such as the Star of David in certain parts of the city. Former German President Joachim Gauck recently spoke out strongly in favor of a stronger fight against anti-Semitism, which comes from various sources.

Anti-Semitism is generally defined as hostility or discrimination against Jews. There are different forms, including racist and religious approaches, although the negative perception of Judaism as a religion also plays a role. These forms can manifest themselves in subtle discrimination or in extreme acts of violence, as has been documented time and again throughout history, from violent riots to the Holocaust, in which six million Jews were murdered. According to wikipedia.org, most anti-Semitic incidents are found in Europe, with modern anti-Semitism often linked to political movements.

New developments and challenges

The phenomenon of “new anti-Semitism,” which is often hidden in anti-Zionist statements, is increasingly being discussed. This discussion highlights the complexity of modern anti-Semitic prejudices and their connections to social and political trends. Historically, anti-Semitism has not given rise to new forms; rather, it is becoming more relevant and dangerous in contemporary contexts, as the reports from the Federal Agency for Civic Education show.

The discussion of this topic is significantly supported by various studies and surveys, such as the working definition of anti-Semitism proposed by the IHRA. There is an urgent need to raise public awareness of anti-Semitism and implement appropriate educational measures to effectively counteract this phenomenon.

In summary, we can conclude that anti-Semitism, in its various manifestations, remains a challenge that affects both the Jewish community and society as a whole. Ambassador Prosor's words are a clear appeal to take this fact seriously and to actively promote tolerance and respect.