Strong pro-Israel consensus among political leaders has led to conflict with Berlin’s diverse cultural sector and a fraught debate over antisemitism

Less than 10 years ago, Germany, and especially Berlin, was held up as a beacon of openness and inclusivity in a western world rocked by Brexit and Donald Trump. Angela Merkel’s decision to take in thousands of refugees displaced by the war in Syria boosted her country’s reputation in progressive circles, with many international artists and academics choosing to make the German capital their new home.

Yet the conflict in the Middle East is showing Germany in a new light, highlighting fissures in society and the arts world that until now had been easier to ignore.

  • crispy_kilt@feddit.deEnglish
    0·
    8 months ago

    if the government argues them to believe “extremist”

    Considering not even the openly neonazi AfD are classified as extremist they can feel quite safe from that. Also, well done moving the goalposts.

    The fact remains that expressing statements furthering their political interests carries zero consequences. Which is a good thing, without this democracy wouldn’t work. It also means that your sources are closer to opinions than to facts. Got any peer-reviewed studies perhaps?

    • tryptaminev 🇵🇸 🇺🇦 🇪🇺@feddit.deEnglish
      0·
      8 months ago

      Considering not even the openly neonazi AfD are classified as extremist

      except in many cases they are, and except the fact that this should be ringing alarm bells when left leaning organizations are targeted by the government. Taking their tax exempt status, like it was done with the VVN is a death sentence to non profit organizations.

      Also how do you want to get peer reviewed studies about something that is happening right now and in that extent and with that attention since six months?

      • crispy_kilt@feddit.deEnglish
        0·
        8 months ago

        Yeah, only some of the Landesverbände, not the federal party - which is what really matters.

        So would you say, there is as of yet insufficient evidence for a factual conclusion?