The German government’s Antisemitism Commissioner, Felix Klein, has ignited a contentious debate with a call for the consistent deportation of antisemites lacking German citizenship. In an interview with “Welt am Sonntag”, Klein argued that existing German immigration law already provides the legal framework for deporting individuals engaged in antisemitic activities, a framework he believes should be more rigorously applied.
Klein framed the proposal not as a manifestation of arbitrary power, but as an integral component of a functioning legal state. He asserted that individuals residing in Germany who demonstrably disregard, or even actively challenge, the fundamental values of German society – specifically the unconditional respect for Jewish life – effectively disqualify themselves from that societal consensus. Crucially, Klein emphasized that any deportation would require a legally binding court verdict, preventing arbitrary action based purely on police investigation or initial suspicion. Conviction for actions motivated by antisemitism, including violence against Jewish individuals, attacks on synagogues, or inciting hatred, would, in his view, mandate expulsion from the country.
Beyond deportation, Klein also advocated for a stricter review of citizenship revocation for dual nationals convicted of serious crimes motivated by antisemitism. He acknowledged the gravity of such a measure, describing it as requiring “careful examination”. However, he maintained that individuals who provided false declarations during the naturalization process or actively opposed the principles enshrined in the Basic Law have forfeited their right to German citizenship.
Klein’s remarks also highlighted a growing concern regarding the nature of antisemitism within Germany, identifying “Islamist antisemitism” as the current “most violent manifestation”. He stated that many Jewish individuals report feeling the most immediate threat from perpetrators of Arab origin and within Islamist circles. This assessment is likely to further fuel discussions regarding integration, security policies and the role of political and religious extremism within German society, while also drawing criticism for potentially conflating religious identity with criminal behavior and raising concerns about possible profiling. The proposal has already drawn fire from human rights organizations who fear it could be applied disproportionately and undermine due process.