German Jewish Leader Criticizes Minister’s ‘Forced Solidarity’ with Israel
The President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, has expressed his disapproval of the term “forced solidarity” with Israel, coined by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. In an interview with the Welt, Schuster described the term as “problematic and unfortunate” likening it to the left-extremist slogan of “German guilt.”
Schuster emphasized the importance of criticizing Israel’s military actions in the current situation, but warned that government rhetoric should never normalize anti-Semitism towards Israel and embolden anti-Israel haters in Germany. He urged caution in the ongoing debate on Israel, stating that a shift in the rhetoric has created great uncertainty among German Jews.
The Jewish leader also brought attention to the root causes of the conflict, highlighting the Hamas’s threat to Israel’s existence and the ongoing detention of civilians in Gaza, a situation that has persisted for over 600 days. While Schuster acknowledged the German Chancellor’s mention of the suffering of the Gaza civilian population as a welcome development, he stressed the need for a nuanced approach in the debate.