Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) - The Hessian anti-Semitism commissioner Uwe Becker (CDU) has complained about the "political ability of Israel-related anti-Semitism". It creates "dangerous places for the spread of anti-Semitism, since anti-Semitism encounters too little resistance when it comes across as a misunderstood form of freedom of art or expression," said Becker on Monday. When dealing with Israel-related anti-Semitism, cultural facilities and institutions need to be more sensitive.
"With a stronger awareness of this special form of anti-Semitism and consistent combating it, distortions at art exhibitions or scientific debates can be avoided," emphasized Becker. In this context, Becker criticized an event planned for June in Frankfurt under the motto "Apartheid also in Israel?"
"While the social defense mechanisms against anti-Semitism work with daubed swastikas, there are too many doors open to Israel-related anti-Semitism in Germany. In large parts, especially in art, culture and science, Israel-related anti-Semitism is paving its way without being sufficiently noticed." , he said. This happens, for example, through the support or expressed understanding for the anti-Semitic boycott movement BDS, through the defamation of Israel as an apartheid state or "through blanket condemnations of an entire country".
