This year we are marking an anniversary: Jews have been living in Germany for more than 1,700 years. Yet despite this long history, the future does not feel secure for Jewish people.
The past two years in particular have made this especially clear: the attack in Halle, the massively visible share of antisemitic conspiracy myths in the context of the coronavirus protests and, most recently, the hate-filled demonstrations during Hamas’s attacks on Israel have shown us that a Jewish future in Germany is in danger. Antisemitism from the right, from the left and from parts of the Muslim community converges with antisemitic imagery from the centre of society.
That is why, with the support of around a dozen organisations, we have drawn up recommendations for action for politics. It is ten past twelve. Please act!
1. Jewish life, and with it Jewish religious practice too, covers a broad spectrum. The basic conditions for this must remain safeguarded.
2. A concrete, comprehensive and functioning protective shield against antisemitism under the rule of law is urgently needed: in domestic policy, in legal terms and in education policy. A large number of organisations are available as competent points of contact.
3. Antisemitic organisations should be consistently banned in Germany and their structures dried out, no matter which political direction they come from. Terrorist organisations such as the PFLP and Hamas must not find any safe haven in Germany. Implement bans that have been issued, such as that on Hezbollah, consistently as well. Exclude the deeply antisemitic parties (“Die Rechte” and “Der III. Weg”) from party funding and examine party bans.
4. The Islamist influence exerted in Germany by the Turkish government and the Iranian regime through associations they influence must urgently be curbed. DITIB, Millî Görüş, IZH, IGS, ATIB, DMG and other actors of political Islam must not be cooperation partners of German politics.
5. Unconditional aid payments to UNRWA should be ended. The funds are misused, among other things, to spread antisemitic indoctrination in schools and in teaching materials. It is therefore important to tie aid payments to an unambiguous change in the curriculum. Germany should support the integration of UNRWA into UNHCR.
6. Jewish women and men feel Iranian hatred of Jews as far away as Germany. Confront the antisemitic mullah regime in Iran with full severity instead of with diplomatic elegance and an economically outstretched hand. The nuclear armament of the regime must be prevented by all available means! Strengthen the Iranian opposition and civil society.
7. Votes against Israel at the UN and in its bodies, routinely demanded by anti-Israeli and mostly anti-democratic states, should no longer be supported by Germany.
8. Among people who seek protection here or who want to live here, promote an integration that treats the fight against antisemitism as an essential pillar.
9. Regard online hate as just as dangerous as offline criminal offences. Increase the efficiency of criminal prosecution in this respect.
10. Jewish institutions need consistent protection. The state should bear the full costs of this.
11. Jewish immigrants are disadvantaged in comparison with Spätaussiedler (ethnic German late resettlers) under pension and citizenship law. This state of affairs should urgently be corrected. To that end, the hardship provision to mitigate old-age poverty among Jewish immigrants needs to be implemented promptly. It is a matter of doing justice to the life’s work of the immigrant generation and to the historical responsibility for the restoration of Jewish life in Germany.
12. Anti-democratic attitudes within the security authorities are a particular danger to democracy. Only those who stand with both feet on the ground of the Grundgesetz (Basic Law) can defend our rule of law. Take this threat seriously and act!
13. Anti-Zionism and antisemitism very often go hand in hand. Take Israel-related antisemitism seriously and be guided in doing so by the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. Advocate the consistent adoption and application of the IHRA definition at the level of state as well as non-state bodies, organisations, associations, clubs and societies.
14. To this day, the recording of antisemitic criminal offences is imprecise. A viable concept for more accurate recording is urgently needed. In doing so, pay attention to the statements of those affected.
15. The fight for our democracy is an investment in the future. Equip educational work that also takes the modern forms of hostility towards Jews into view with sufficient financial resources. Adopt a Demokratiefördergesetz (democracy promotion act) that permanently supports education against racism and antisemitism.
16. The values of our Grundgesetz are often communicated too little or too abstractly. Make the values of the Grundgesetz visible, experienceable and tangible and enable the centre of society to feel a sense of belonging together.
17. Stand steadfastly by the side of Jewish women and men as an integral part of society.
Die WerteInitiative – jüdisch-deutsche Positionen e.V. thanks the following organisations for their substantive collaboration on and/or support for these demands:
• Amadeu-Antonio-Stiftung
• Christen an der Seite Israels e.V.
• DEIN Verein für Demokratie und Information e.V.
• Deutsch-Israelische-Gesellschaft e.V. (DIG)
• Deutsch-Israelische Gesellschaft Berlin und Brandenburg e.V.
• Europäische Janusz Korczak Akademie e.V. (EJKA)
• European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS)
• Initiative 27. Januar e.V.
• Jehi ʼOr« Jüdisches Bildungswerk für Demokratie – gegen Antisemitismus gUG (JBDA)
• Jüdisches Forum für Demokratie und gegen Antisemitismus (JFDA) e.V.
• Jüdische Studierenden Union Deutschland (JSUD)
• MAKKABI Deutschland e.V.
• Mideast Freedom Forum Berlin e.V. (MFFB)
• Scholars for Peace in the Middle East Germany e.V. (SPME)
• Studentim – Jüdische Studierendeninitiative Berlin e.V