In the fight against anti-Semitism, the Central Council of Jews in Germany has called for “clear guidelines” for culture. “The fact that artistic freedom and the fight against anti-Semitism are two fundamental values that are compatible with each other has been emphasized in recent months and years not only by Jewish organizations, but also by renowned constitutional lawyers,” said Central Council President Josef Schuster in a statement on Thursday.
From Schuster’s point of view, a paper approved on Wednesday by culture ministers and municipal umbrella organizations is based on this understanding. “But this consensus alone is not enough,” said the Central Council President. “The experiences of the last few years have shown that anti-Semitism is not only firmly anchored in art and culture, but is constantly developing in a threatening manner. The solution through personal responsibility has largely failed.”
Schuster continues: “We need clear guidelines for the future and not yesterday’s concepts.” Anyone who is afraid to name the “proven and practice-oriented IHRA definition of anti-Semitism” as a basis for cultural funding, according to Schuster, will not get far in the fight against anti-Semitism.
The definition of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is used in an expanded version by the Federal Government and the Bundestag. The definition is also considered controversial, among other things because, based on it, criticism of the Israeli government can be viewed as anti-Semitism.
The federal government, states and municipalities had previously agreed on “strategies against anti-Semitic, racist and other inhumane content in publicly funded cultural activities”. Cultural policy therefore wants to “decisively oppose those who represent the ideology of hatred of Israel and anti-Semitism.” To this end, funding conditions should be tightened.
The most recent trigger for the debate was the Berlinale Gala – the Middle East conflict was discussed there several times. Numerous jury members and award winners called for a ceasefire in the Gaza war verbally or with badges and sharply criticized the Israeli government. Afterwards there was numerous criticism including accusations of hatred of Israel and anti-Semitism.
