Antisemitism debate: Israel's ambassador: Left-wing antisemitism is the most dangerous

The Israeli ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, warns of left-wing antisemitism in Germany. He told the newspapers of the Funke Media Group that it is more dangerous than right-wing antisemitism and more dangerous than Islamist antisemitism "because it conceals its intentions." He added that Germany "knows very well, in the political and legal spheres, how to combat right-wing antisemitism." Islamist antisemitism is also extremely dangerous, he said, "because it undermines the democratic order like a Trojan horse. But we are learning how to deal with it."

But left-wing antisemitism "always teeters on the edge between freedom of expression and freedom to incite hatred – and has now clearly crossed that line. That is why left-wing antisemitism is the most dangerous for me," the ambassador said.

In Europe, this can be seen in universities and theaters. "People present themselves as educated, morally and politically correct," said Prosor. "But the red line of what is protected by freedom of expression has long since been crossed." Day after day, Israel is demonized and delegitimized, "and the consequences are felt by all Jews." It is still considered a scandal that an Israeli conductor was disinvited from a festival in Belgium, "but the boundaries of what can be said are shifting."

The Flanders Festival Ghent canceled a planned September performance by the Munich Philharmonic under the direction of Israeli conductor Lahav Shani. The reason given was that Shani is also the music director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and his stance on the Israeli government was unclear. The move drew sharp criticism in Germany, with the festival being accused of antisemitism. Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever distanced himself from the decision, calling it damaging to his country.

Prosor said that Jews in Germany were afraid. Many were now buying apartments in Israel, just as French Jews had done previously. He received calls asking if it was safe to come to Berlin. He replied: "Yes, it's safe – but it's best not to walk down Sonnenallee in Neukölln wearing a Star of David."

Most recently, former German President Joachim Gauck called for a more determined fight against anti-Semitism - even if it comes from the Arab world or from the political left.

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