The German Bundestag has passed a resolution against anti-Semitism with votes from the CDU/CSU, SPD, Greens, FDP, and AfD.
The declaration, adopted on Thursday, 7 November in Berlin, is entitled Never Again: Protect, Preserve, and Strengthen Jewish Life in Germany. This resolution was submitted jointly by the ruling SPD, Greens, FDP, and CDU/CSU parliamentary groups. The Bundestag asserts in its text that there has been an increase in anti-Semitic attitudes and actions, which it describes as “extremely disturbing.”
According to the draft resolution, developments since the 7 October Aqsa Flood are attributed both to increasingly open and violent anti-Semitism in extreme right-wing and Islamist circles and to rising Israel-related and left-wing anti-imperialist anti-Semitism.
The bill urges federal, state, and local authorities to ensure that no projects or programs with anti-Semitic aims or content are funded. The SPD, CDU/CSU, Greens, and FDP also oppose funding for organizations and projects that spread anti-Semitism, question Israel’s right to exist, or support the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement against Israel.
SPD MEP Dirk Wiese described the decision as a “common signal” to all parliamentary groups. Wiese emphasized the importance of doing everything possible to “ensure that people of the Jewish faith have a home in the Federal Republic of Germany.”
Greens MEP Lamya Kaddor underscored the need to fight anti-Semitism as “the duty of society as a whole.” She voiced concerns that the resolution does not emphasize anti-Semitism prevention, calling for awareness-raising and education campaigns. “We can only win this fight if we involve everyone, migrants and non-migrants alike,” said Kaddor.
Green MEP Konstantin von Notz added, “If the barbaric attacks of 7 October are openly applauded, if fantasies of annihilation against Israel are openly expressed, if there is talk of driving Jews into the sea, then this is clearly anti-Semitic.”
AfD politician Jürgen Braun highlighted mass immigration as “the main problem endangering Jewish life in Germany.” Beatrix von Storch of the AfD thanked the Greens for adopting the AfD’s position on “imported Muslim anti-Semitism” in the newly passed anti-Semitism resolution.
The Left Party’s Gregor Gysi stated that criticism of Israeli policy and government should “of course be allowed.” Gysi added that the current right-wing government under Netanyahu is unfortunately “part of the problem in the Middle East conflict, not part of the solution.”
The Left Group and Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) proposed separate amendments, which were rejected. The BSW group voted against the resolution, while The Left Party abstained.
