Israeli academics criticised the Bundestag motion : CALL TO GERMAN PARTIES NOT TO EQUATE BDS WITH ANTI-SEMITISM
A CALL TO GERMAN PARTIES NOT TO EQUATE BDS WITH ANTI-SEMITISM
May 2019 We, Jewish and Israeli scholars, many of whom research Jewish history and anti-Semitism, express concern about the rise in anti-Semitism around the world, including in Germany. We view all forms of racism and bigotry as a threat that must be fought and encourage the German government and parliament to do so. At the same time, we wish to sound alarm about a parallel trend: the growing tendency of labeling supporters of Palestinian human rights as anti-Semitic. This trend is now escalating in Germany. Two German parties, the FDP and AfD, have tabled resolutions at the Bundestag that equate the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement with anti-Semitism. Coalition parties CDU/CSU and SPD are preparing a joint resolution that does so, too. This conflation is incorrect, unacceptable and a threat to the liberaldemocratic order in Germany. The opinions about BDS among the signatories of this statement differ significantly: some may support BDS, while others reject it for different reasons. However, we all reject the deceitful allegation that BDS as such is anti-Semitic. One should be considered an anti-Semite only according to the content and the context of one’s words and deeds and not according to any institutional affiliation. We should protest against any anti-Semitic utterances and deeds – whether they come from BDS supporters or not. But BDS as such is not anti-Semitic. We therefore defend the right of any individual or organization to support it. Israel and the international community insisted that the Palestinians refrain from violence when opposing the occupation of their land and the ongoing discrimination and oppression they are exposed to. BDS is essentially a non-violent movement, which protests serious human rights violations. The BDS movement does not advocate for a particular political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Instead, it campaigns for the implementation of international law, often with regard to Israel’s occupation and settlements. The movement is explicit about its categorical opposition to “all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism”. Many Jewish and Israeli groups either support BDS explicitly or defend the right to support it. One can debate and disagree with BDS, but a categorical de-legitimization of such non-violent means is wrong and counterproductive. We call on all German parties not to submit and not to support any resolutions that equate BDS with anti-Semitism. In particular, we call on the democratic mainstream parties FDP, CDU and SPD to adjust their draft resolutions accordingly. We also call on all German parties not to exclude NGOs that endorse BDS from German funding. As also confirmed by the European Union, statements and actions in the context of BDS are protected by freedom of expression and freedom of association, as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. Among the more than one hundred Palestinian civil society organizations that signed the call for BDS are respected human rights organizations, associations of lawyers and engineers, committees of farmers and health workers and unions of disabled and teachers. It would be highly detrimental to Palestinian society as a whole and to the role and reputation of Germany, if these organizations were to be excluded from German funding – simply for exercising their right to free speech and their choice to resist the entrenching Israeli occupation by peaceful means. If they were excluded, this would contribute to a further weakening of the entire Palestinian society, which already suffered a severe blow when the US government ended its funding to the Palestinians – a decision which Europe deplored. Furthermore, a decision by the Bundestag to equate the Palestinian-led BDS movement with anti-Semitism offends and stigmatizes Palestinian citizens of Germany and prevents them from freely expressing their opinions, their grief and sorrow. This could also alienate them and other groups in German society and elsewhere from the fight against antisemitism, rather than recruiting them into it. The equation of BDS with anti-Semitism has been promoted by Israel’s most right-wing government in history. It is part of persistent efforts to delegitimize any discourse about Palestinian rights and any international solidarity with the Palestinians suffering from military occupation and severe discrimination. We urge you to fight anti-Semitism and all forms of racism without aiding these malign efforts. We ask you to safeguard free expression and protect democratic spaces in Germany, rather than to isolate and silence those who non-violently express their political beliefs.
Prof. Gadi Algazi, Institute of History, Tel Aviv University Dr. Merav Amir, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, Queen's University Belfast Dr. Hila Amit, freie Wissenschaftlerin, Israel Prof. (emeritus) Yonathan (Jon) Anson, Chair for Social Work, Ben Gurion University of the Negev Dr. Seth Anziska, Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies, University College London Prof. Lisa Baraitser, Dept. for Psychosocial Studies, Birkbeck Institute, University of London Dr. Moshe Behar, University of Manchester Prof. Avner Ben-Amos, Dept. of History, Tel-Aviv University Yaara Benger Alaluf, Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin, Max-Planck-Institut für Bildungsforschung, Berlin Prof. Gabriele Bergers, Dept. of Oncology, University of Leuven Prof. Louise Bethlehem, Dept. of English and Cultural Studies, Hebrew University Jerusalem Prof. David Blanc, Dept. of Mathematics, University of Haifa Prof. Daniel D. Blatman, Head, Avraham Harman Research Institute of Contemporary Jewry, The Max and Rita Haber Chair in Contemporary Jewry and Holocaust Studies, Hebrew University Jerusalem Dr. Paola Canarutto, freie Wissenschaftlerin Prof. (emerita) Jane Caplan, Modern European History, University of Oxford Prof. Stephen Clingman, Dept. of English, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Prof. Alon Confino, Pen Tishkach Chair of Holocaust Studies, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Prof. (emerita) Sonia Dayan-Herzbrun, Dept. of Social Science, University Paris Diderot Prof. (emerita) Sidra DeKoven Ezrahi, Dept. of Comparative Literature, Hebrew University Jerusalem Prof. (emeritus) Tommy Dreyfus, Pädagogische Hochschule, Tel Aviv University Prof. David Enoch, Faculty of Law & Philosophy, Hebrew University Jerusalem Dr. Yuval Eylon, Dept. of History, Philosophy and Jewish Studies, The Open University of Israel Prof. (emeritus) Gideon Freudenthal, The Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas, Tel Aviv University Dr. Elizabeth Freund (emerita), Dept. of English Literature, Hebrew University Jerusalem Prof. (emeritus) Chaim Gans, The Buchmann Faculty of Law, Tel Aviv University Prof. Amos Goldberg, Jewish History and Contemporary Jewry, Hebrew University Jerusalem Prof. Oded Goldreich, Weizmann Institute of Science Prof. Neve Gordon, Dept. of Politics and Government, Ben Gurion University Prof. Rebecca Gould, School of Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music, University of Birmingham Dr. Erella Grassiani, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Amsterdam Prof. Lev Grinberg, Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology, Ben Gurion University Prof. David Harel, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Vice President of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities Dr. Shir Hever, Politikwissenschaften, Freie Universät Berlin Professor (emerita) Susan Himmelweit, Faculty of Social Science, Open University Milton Keynes Prof. Eva Illouz, Dept. of Social Science and Anthropology, Hebrew University Jerusalem, The European Centre for Sociology and Political Science, Paris Dr. Itamar Kastner, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Dr. Brian Klug, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, Parkes Institute for the Study of Jewish/non-Jewish Relations, University of Southampton Prof. (emerita) Vered Kraus, Dept. of Social Science, University of Haifa Prof. (emeritus) Micah Leshem, Dept. of Psychology, University of Haifa Dr. Mark Levene, Parkes Centre for Jewish/non-Jewish Relations, University of Southampton Prof. Joseph Levine, Dept. of Philosophy, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Revital Madar, Dept. of Cultural Studies, Hebrew University Jerusalem Rela Mazali, freie Wissenschaftlerin und Schriftstellerin Dr. Dana Mills, Oxford Brookes University Dr. Sheryl Nestel, Independent Scholar, Toronto Prof. Isaac (Yanni) Nevo, Dept. of Philosophy, Ben-Gurion University Prof. Kobi Peterzil, Dept. of Mathematics, University of Haifa Dr. Noa Roei, Dept. of Comparative Literature and Cultural Analysis, University of Amsterdam Na’ama Rokem, Associate Professor of Modern Hebrew Literature & Comparative Literature, University of Chicago Prof. Jacqueline Rose, Co-director Birkbeck Institute, University of London Prof. Michael Rothberg, 1939 Society Samuel Goetz Chair in Holocaust Studies, University of California Dr. E. Natalie Rothman, Dept. of History and Cultural Studies, University of Toronto Scarborough Prof. Catherine Rottenberg, Foreign Literature and Linguistics, Ben Gurion University Dr. Ilan Saban, Faculty of Law, University of Haifa Dr. Hannah Safran, Feminist Research Center, Haifa Prof. Lynne Segal, Psychosocial Studies, Birkbeck Institute, University of London Dr. Itamar Shachar, Marie Curie postdoctoral fellow, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Amsterdam Nava EtShalom, poet and writer, PhD candidate, University of Pennsylvania Prof. (emerita) Alice Shalvi, Hebrew University Jerusalem/Ben Gurion University of the Negev Dr. Dmitry Shumsky, Head of the Cherrick Centre for the Study of Zionism, the Yishuv and the State of Israel, Hebrew University Jerusalem Dr. Itay Snir, The Open University of Israel and Minerva Humanities Centre/Tel-Aviv University Prof. Tamir Sorek, Social and Jewish Studies, University of Florida Dr. Anya Topolski, Associate Professor Ethics and Political Philosophy, Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen Dr. Yair Wallach, Head of the Centre for Jewish Studies, SOAS, University of London Prof. Niza Yanay, Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology, Ben Gurion University Prof. (emeritus) Moshe Zuckermann, The Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas, Tel Aviv University
May 2019 We, Jewish and Israeli scholars, many of whom research Jewish history and anti-Semitism, express concern about the rise in anti-Semitism around the world, including in Germany. We view all forms of racism and bigotry as a threat that must be fought and encourage the German government and parliament to do so. At the same time, we wish to sound alarm about a parallel trend: the growing tendency of labeling supporters of Palestinian human rights as anti-Semitic. This trend is now escalating in Germany. Two German parties, the FDP and AfD, have tabled resolutions at the Bundestag that equate the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement with anti-Semitism. Coalition parties CDU/CSU and SPD are preparing a joint resolution that does so, too. This conflation is incorrect, unacceptable and a threat to the liberaldemocratic order in Germany. The opinions about BDS among the signatories of this statement differ significantly: some may support BDS, while others reject it for different reasons. However, we all reject the deceitful allegation that BDS as such is anti-Semitic. One should be considered an anti-Semite only according to the content and the context of one’s words and deeds and not according to any institutional affiliation. We should protest against any anti-Semitic utterances and deeds – whether they come from BDS supporters or not. But BDS as such is not anti-Semitic. We therefore defend the right of any individual or organization to support it. Israel and the international community insisted that the Palestinians refrain from violence when opposing the occupation of their land and the ongoing discrimination and oppression they are exposed to. BDS is essentially a non-violent movement, which protests serious human rights violations. The BDS movement does not advocate for a particular political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Instead, it campaigns for the implementation of international law, often with regard to Israel’s occupation and settlements. The movement is explicit about its categorical opposition to “all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism”. Many Jewish and Israeli groups either support BDS explicitly or defend the right to support it. One can debate and disagree with BDS, but a categorical de-legitimization of such non-violent means is wrong and counterproductive. We call on all German parties not to submit and not to support any resolutions that equate BDS with anti-Semitism. In particular, we call on the democratic mainstream parties FDP, CDU and SPD to adjust their draft resolutions accordingly. We also call on all German parties not to exclude NGOs that endorse BDS from German funding. As also confirmed by the European Union, statements and actions in the context of BDS are protected by freedom of expression and freedom of association, as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. Among the more than one hundred Palestinian civil society organizations that signed the call for BDS are respected human rights organizations, associations of lawyers and engineers, committees of farmers and health workers and unions of disabled and teachers. It would be highly detrimental to Palestinian society as a whole and to the role and reputation of Germany, if these organizations were to be excluded from German funding – simply for exercising their right to free speech and their choice to resist the entrenching Israeli occupation by peaceful means. If they were excluded, this would contribute to a further weakening of the entire Palestinian society, which already suffered a severe blow when the US government ended its funding to the Palestinians – a decision which Europe deplored. Furthermore, a decision by the Bundestag to equate the Palestinian-led BDS movement with anti-Semitism offends and stigmatizes Palestinian citizens of Germany and prevents them from freely expressing their opinions, their grief and sorrow. This could also alienate them and other groups in German society and elsewhere from the fight against antisemitism, rather than recruiting them into it. The equation of BDS with anti-Semitism has been promoted by Israel’s most right-wing government in history. It is part of persistent efforts to delegitimize any discourse about Palestinian rights and any international solidarity with the Palestinians suffering from military occupation and severe discrimination. We urge you to fight anti-Semitism and all forms of racism without aiding these malign efforts. We ask you to safeguard free expression and protect democratic spaces in Germany, rather than to isolate and silence those who non-violently express their political beliefs.
Prof. Gadi Algazi, Institute of History, Tel Aviv University Dr. Merav Amir, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, Queen's University Belfast Dr. Hila Amit, freie Wissenschaftlerin, Israel Prof. (emeritus) Yonathan (Jon) Anson, Chair for Social Work, Ben Gurion University of the Negev Dr. Seth Anziska, Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies, University College London Prof. Lisa Baraitser, Dept. for Psychosocial Studies, Birkbeck Institute, University of London Dr. Moshe Behar, University of Manchester Prof. Avner Ben-Amos, Dept. of History, Tel-Aviv University Yaara Benger Alaluf, Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin, Max-Planck-Institut für Bildungsforschung, Berlin Prof. Gabriele Bergers, Dept. of Oncology, University of Leuven Prof. Louise Bethlehem, Dept. of English and Cultural Studies, Hebrew University Jerusalem Prof. David Blanc, Dept. of Mathematics, University of Haifa Prof. Daniel D. Blatman, Head, Avraham Harman Research Institute of Contemporary Jewry, The Max and Rita Haber Chair in Contemporary Jewry and Holocaust Studies, Hebrew University Jerusalem Dr. Paola Canarutto, freie Wissenschaftlerin Prof. (emerita) Jane Caplan, Modern European History, University of Oxford Prof. Stephen Clingman, Dept. of English, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Prof. Alon Confino, Pen Tishkach Chair of Holocaust Studies, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Prof. (emerita) Sonia Dayan-Herzbrun, Dept. of Social Science, University Paris Diderot Prof. (emerita) Sidra DeKoven Ezrahi, Dept. of Comparative Literature, Hebrew University Jerusalem Prof. (emeritus) Tommy Dreyfus, Pädagogische Hochschule, Tel Aviv University Prof. David Enoch, Faculty of Law & Philosophy, Hebrew University Jerusalem Dr. Yuval Eylon, Dept. of History, Philosophy and Jewish Studies, The Open University of Israel Prof. (emeritus) Gideon Freudenthal, The Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas, Tel Aviv University Dr. Elizabeth Freund (emerita), Dept. of English Literature, Hebrew University Jerusalem Prof. (emeritus) Chaim Gans, The Buchmann Faculty of Law, Tel Aviv University Prof. Amos Goldberg, Jewish History and Contemporary Jewry, Hebrew University Jerusalem Prof. Oded Goldreich, Weizmann Institute of Science Prof. Neve Gordon, Dept. of Politics and Government, Ben Gurion University Prof. Rebecca Gould, School of Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music, University of Birmingham Dr. Erella Grassiani, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Amsterdam Prof. Lev Grinberg, Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology, Ben Gurion University Prof. David Harel, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Vice President of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities Dr. Shir Hever, Politikwissenschaften, Freie Universät Berlin Professor (emerita) Susan Himmelweit, Faculty of Social Science, Open University Milton Keynes Prof. Eva Illouz, Dept. of Social Science and Anthropology, Hebrew University Jerusalem, The European Centre for Sociology and Political Science, Paris Dr. Itamar Kastner, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Dr. Brian Klug, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, Parkes Institute for the Study of Jewish/non-Jewish Relations, University of Southampton Prof. (emerita) Vered Kraus, Dept. of Social Science, University of Haifa Prof. (emeritus) Micah Leshem, Dept. of Psychology, University of Haifa Dr. Mark Levene, Parkes Centre for Jewish/non-Jewish Relations, University of Southampton Prof. Joseph Levine, Dept. of Philosophy, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Revital Madar, Dept. of Cultural Studies, Hebrew University Jerusalem Rela Mazali, freie Wissenschaftlerin und Schriftstellerin Dr. Dana Mills, Oxford Brookes University Dr. Sheryl Nestel, Independent Scholar, Toronto Prof. Isaac (Yanni) Nevo, Dept. of Philosophy, Ben-Gurion University Prof. Kobi Peterzil, Dept. of Mathematics, University of Haifa Dr. Noa Roei, Dept. of Comparative Literature and Cultural Analysis, University of Amsterdam Na’ama Rokem, Associate Professor of Modern Hebrew Literature & Comparative Literature, University of Chicago Prof. Jacqueline Rose, Co-director Birkbeck Institute, University of London Prof. Michael Rothberg, 1939 Society Samuel Goetz Chair in Holocaust Studies, University of California Dr. E. Natalie Rothman, Dept. of History and Cultural Studies, University of Toronto Scarborough Prof. Catherine Rottenberg, Foreign Literature and Linguistics, Ben Gurion University Dr. Ilan Saban, Faculty of Law, University of Haifa Dr. Hannah Safran, Feminist Research Center, Haifa Prof. Lynne Segal, Psychosocial Studies, Birkbeck Institute, University of London Dr. Itamar Shachar, Marie Curie postdoctoral fellow, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Amsterdam Nava EtShalom, poet and writer, PhD candidate, University of Pennsylvania Prof. (emerita) Alice Shalvi, Hebrew University Jerusalem/Ben Gurion University of the Negev Dr. Dmitry Shumsky, Head of the Cherrick Centre for the Study of Zionism, the Yishuv and the State of Israel, Hebrew University Jerusalem Dr. Itay Snir, The Open University of Israel and Minerva Humanities Centre/Tel-Aviv University Prof. Tamir Sorek, Social and Jewish Studies, University of Florida Dr. Anya Topolski, Associate Professor Ethics and Political Philosophy, Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen Dr. Yair Wallach, Head of the Centre for Jewish Studies, SOAS, University of London Prof. Niza Yanay, Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology, Ben Gurion University Prof. (emeritus) Moshe Zuckermann, The Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas, Tel Aviv University
An open letter signed by 60 Israeli academics criticised the Bundestag motion, saying it formed part of an alarming trend of “labelling supporters of Palestinian human rights as antisemitic”. da
German parliament declares Israel boycott campaign antisemitic ...
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