Press release: Jewish association in the “Bündnis gegen antisemitischen Terror” condemns so-called “Palestine Congress”

As a Jewish association we are part of a cross-party alliance from politics and civil society: Berlin must not become a centre for the glorification of terror!

The cross-party “Bündnis gegen antisemitischen Terror” is calling for protest against the so-called “Palestine Congress”, which is due to take place in Berlin from 12 to 14 April. What is feared, as has already occurred in the past through those involved: glorification of terror, calls for the destruction of Israel, cooperation with members of terrorist organisations and a further radicalisation of antisemitism.

Together with many other signatory organisations and individuals from politics and civil society, we support the following protest and appeal by the Grüne Jugend, the Junge Liberale, the Jusos, the Junge Union, the Jüdische Studierendenunion and the Junges Forum der Deutsch-Israelischen Gesellschaft:Against the playing down of terror and antisemitic incitement in Berlin!

On 7 October, Hamas terrorists murdered 1,200 people in Israel and abducted more than 250 as hostages to the Gaza Strip. Since 7 October the number of antisemitic incidents has risen to almost 30 a day, according to the Bundesverband der Recherche- und Informationsstellen RIAS. The number of unreported cases is likely to be considerably higher. Hamas is still holding around 130 people captive in its terror tunnels, and antisemitism still shapes the lived reality of Jews in Germany.

Meanwhile, from 12 to 14 April, an event is due to take place in Berlin, the “Palestine Congress”, from which the spreading of antisemitic hatred and the playing down of the Hamas terror of 7 October 2023 are to be expected. Mobilisation for the “congress” is taking place nationwide. Groups and individuals are taking part who agitate against the existence of Israel, who describe the massacre of 7 October as a legitimate act of resistance or Hamas as a guerrilla group and freedom fighters, and who come out against peaceful coexistence. In addition, it is to be expected that there will be a networking of anti-Israel structures and individuals who are close to Hamas or the PFLP or who endorse their actions.

The aim of the “congress” is not to open up space for critical debate about the situation in the Middle East, but to propagate support for terror and sheer hatred of Israel. Nor is it the organisers’ concern to talk about possibilities for peaceful coexistence in the Middle East against the background of the war in Gaza. Rather, they want to legitimise antisemitic terror and drive forward further anti-Israel radicalisation.

Antisemitic incitement must not go unchallenged. Irrespective of measures already under examination, we call on federal politics and the city of Berlin as well as wider civil society to speak out loudly, in the spirit of “Never again is now!”, against the antisemitism and the glorification of terror that threaten to emanate from the “congress”. The individuals and organisations behind the event must not be granted any legitimacy. Anyone who stands up for peaceful coexistence in the Middle East must oppose this “congress”, whose organisers wish for the opposite – the destruction of Israel.

Gruene Jugend, Junge Liberale, Jusos, Junge Union, Jüdische Studierendenunion, Junges Forum der Deutsch-Israelischen Gesellschaft

Further information also at www.gegen-terror.org.Supporting organisations

AJC Berlin Ramer Institute

Amadeu Antonio Stiftung

B´nai B´rith Berlin – Raoul Wallenberg Loge

Bundesverband Jüdischer Mediziner e.V.

Deutsch-Israelische Gesellschaft e.V.

Deutsch-Israelische Gesellschaft Berlin und Brandenburg e.V.

Internationales Institut für Bildung, Sozial- und Antisemitismusforschung (IIBSA)

Jüdisches Forum für Demokratie und gegen Antisemitismus (JFDA)

»Jehi ‘Or« Jüdisches Bildungswerk für Demokratie – gegen Antisemitismus (JBDA) gUG

Keshet Deutschland e.V.

Kurdische Gemeinde Deutschland e.V.

Raúl Wallenberg Loge – B’nai B’rith Berlin

Scholars for Peace in the Middle East

Studierendenverband der Sinti und Roma in Deutschland

Tikvah Institut gUG

WerteInitiative – jüdisch-deutsche Positionen e.V.

WIZO Deutschland e.V.

World Jewish Congress

Zentralrat der Juden in Deutschland

Supporting individuals