Düsseldorf – On the 15th June, a concert by the Israel Defense Forces Orchestra took place in the premises of the Jewish Community of Düsseldorf. This concert was organized in collaboration with the charity organization Keren Hayesod. When they wrote a tweet promoting the concert, antisemitic reactions were not absent.
Palestinian-American journalist, Ali Abunimah, co-founder of the online platform Electronic Intifada, tweeted an English-language about the concert late last week. Shortly after, last Saturday, the group “Palestine Speaks” (Palästina spricht) published on their Twitter page Abunimah’s post in an almost wordly translation from English to German. In another tweet, the same group described the concert as the “racism event of the month” and used, among other things, a hashtag condemning Israel Apartheid.
Various antisemitisms are served here within fewer words. The phrase that the Düsseldorf Jewish Community, with over 7,000 members, is the third largest in Germany, particularly striking the eye, only “allegedly” Jewish people. This is linked to the assumption that a positive reference to Israel and its army is not widespread among Jews living in Germany. The prevalent antisemitism related to Israel can also be found in accusations here. Israel-related anti-Semitism predominantly occurs when anti-semitic patterns are transferred onto Israel and/or Jews are collectively blamed for Israel’s actions and policies. The statement that the IDF is a “child massacring” organization is a modern take on the old anti-Semitic ritual killing legend as if the Israeli army were purposefully attacking and killing Palestinian children. Even the baseless accusation of apartheid serves to demonize Israel.
Eventually, the question arises, for whom clandestine groups like “Palestine speaks” speak at all and for what legitimacy a group like “Palestine Speaks”. Especially their social media channels and demonstrations do not show fear of touching antisemitic statements. You always practice in verbal power milking and do not seem to be shy to end up with violent organizations.
In response to the anti-Semitic tweet, the community of Düsseldorf received many expressions of solidarity. This is an important signal for which we are grateful at this point.
