This week we return to our series exploring the landscape of antisemitism across Europe, in partnership with DILCRAH, and turn our eye to the ongoing struggle against antisemitism in Germany as both a historical and modern issue. Monty Ott draws on philosophical perspectives, emphasizing the need for societal authority and the use of power to confront it. In light of the resurgence of antisemitic violence following Hamas’ attacks in October 2023, Ott explores the tensions surrounding the state’s role in combating this threat. This first part of a two-part investigation delves into controversies, including accusations of political instrumentalization and criticisms of Germany’s response, highlighting the complexity of addressing antisemitism through both legal enforcement and societal dialogue. As Germany grapples with its past, the fight against antisemitism becomes a litmus test for the strength of its democracy.
Not so long ago, antisemitism manifested itself with obvious clarity: “Death to the Jews” shouted men with shaven heads tattooed with swastikas. Things now seem to have become so opaque that the characterization of antisemitism gives rise to endless polemics. The university, in particular, is a regular scene, with many Jewish students perceiving the atmosphere surrounding anti-Zionist mobilizations as threatening to them, but struggling to convince the administration of the accuracy of this perception. And after all, the question thrown back at them is a legitimate one: why are you so certain that this is antisemitism, when no one is talking about targeting Jews as such? To shed light on this problem, Valérie Boussard, professor of sociology at Paris Nanterre, conducted a survey among Jewish students who feel less and less at home at university.
Does the State of Israel need the permission of the nations to exist? At least, that’s what Emmanuel Macron is said to have hinted at in the Council of Ministers. If we insist on remembering that Israel owes its birth to a UN decision, it’s because we think that its existence is conditional on the goodwill of the international community. This is not only a diplomatic error, but also a failure to understand this state and the history of which it is the product. Gabriel Abensour, fired up by the foolishness of our President, made a point of reminding us that the realization of the Zionist project precisely meant the possibility of a Jewish existence that did not depend on anyone’s goodwill.
