Demonstrators took to the streets in cities throughout Germany Saturday in a round of anti-war protests. Many used the occasion to show their support for author Günter Grass, who came under fire this week for a new poem that is highly critical of Israel.
Protesters in Berlin, Stuttgart and other cities shouted slogans like “Günter Grass, you are right. Thank you!” reported Voice of Israel radio.
In the poem, published in European dailies earlier this week, the 84-year-old German author criticized what he described as Western hypocrisy over Israel’s nuclear program, and he labeled the country a threat to an “already fragile world peace” over its stance on Iran.
Earlier Saturday, a high-ranking Iranian official said in a letter that Grass’ poem is a revelation of “truth that may awaken the silent conscience” of the West. The semi-official Fars news agency posted the letter on its website.
Grass was widely criticized by Israeli officials for the new poem, particularly in light of his recently-acknowledged past as part of the Waffen-SS during World War II.
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition
by email and never miss our top stories
By signing up, you agree to the
terms
The Nobel laureate has been accused this week of anti-Semitism, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuked his views as “ignorant and objectionable.”
In an interview published Saturday by the daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Grass explained that he was criticizing the Jewish state’s government, not the country as a whole. He said he sought foremost to single out the policies of “Netanyahu’s current government.”
Watch Docu Nation Season 2: Resilience
when you join the ToI Community
Support The Times of Israel's independent journalism and receive access to our documentary series, Docu Nation: Resilience, premiering December 12.
In this season of Docu Nation, you can stream eight outstanding Israeli documentaries with English subtitles and then join a live online discussion with the filmmakers. The selected films show how resilience, hope, and growth can emerge from crisis.
When you watch Docu Nation, you’re also supporting Israeli creators at a time when it’s increasingly difficult for them to share their work globally.
To learn more about Docu Nation: Resilience, click here.
Support ToI and get Docu Nation
Support ToI and get Docu Nation
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel eleven years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this