Germany’s ruling parties agree on landmark resolution to combat antisemitism

BERLIN – Germany’s ruling parties have agreed on a landmark resolution on combatting antisemitism that will be put to parliament this week, according to political sources.

The non-binding statement aims to toughen the official campaign against antisemitism that has made headlines since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, massacre sparked the ongoing war in Gaza.

Intensely debated by lawmakers of the ruling Social Democratic Party (SDP), Greens and Free Democrats (FDP) with the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU), the draft says no group that “questions the right of Israel to exist or calls for a boycott of Israel” should receive public funding.

It says the mounting antisemitism is “more and more manifest and violent in far-right circles” and also linked to “left-wing anti-imperialism” groups.

The resolution will be submitted to parliament this week.

The aim is to “protect, preserve and strengthen Jewish life in Germany,” according to a version seen by AFP.

Supporters say the statement is needed in response to the growing number of antisemitic attacks in Germany since October 7 last year, while critics say some parts of the text will restrict academic and cultural liberties.