The situation in Gaza is appalling and must also be able to receive attention here. However, there is no place for antisemitism in Frankfurt.
The “System Change Camp” in the Grüneburgpark and the now-announced demonstration by “United 4 Gaza” are accompanied by accusations of antisemitism. Time and again, situations arise in which different opinions on the communication about the war clash.
“It is regrettable that around the painful war in Gaza, often only extreme positions dominate, and a solution for both the security of Israel and the security of the Palestinians recedes into the distant future. We in Frankfurt and in Germany must work to move from a climate of provocation and intimidation to a respectful dialogue about the different opinions,” says Martin Huber, parliamentary group leader of Volt in the Römer. “But when it occurs that people drawing attention to the suffering of the Hamas hostages are verbally or physically attacked by participants of the ‘System Change Camp,’ a red line is crossed. The organizers of the camp must clearly distance themselves from such actions and ensure that antisemitic positions and one-sided incitement against Israel are given no stage at the camp.”
“Calls in the run-up to the ‘United 4 Gaza’ demonstration that make it clear the organizers are propagating the annihilation of Israel are also inhuman and absolutely unacceptable. The public order authorities are called upon to consistently prosecute antisemitic crimes. We also condemn that activists calling for this demo criticize Frankfurt’s city partnership with Tel Aviv-Yafo in a sweeping and incomprehensible manner, or view the ECB in a conspiratorial way as an organizer and profiteer of the war,” says Martin Huber.
Volt in the Römer does not think highly of knee-jerk and sweeping demands for bans; the constitutional right to demonstrate is a cherished principle, but the Public Order Office of the City of Frankfurt has the responsibility to carefully review and, in cases of justified doubt, to intervene and prohibit events or demonstrations of this kind. At the same time, Volt in the Römer considers it necessary to also give legitimate space to those who point out the suffering of the people in Gaza.
In the Gaza district, famine has now been officially confirmed by the UN-supported Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his, in parts, far-right government deny the famine. Volt in the Römer condemns the lack of humanitarian support and the Israeli government’s conduct of the war.
“However, I want to clearly call on the participants of the ‘System Change Camp’ and all organizers and participants of the ‘United 4 Gaza’ demonstration to keep the humanitarian situation of all people in need in mind. The call to harm other people or the demand for the annihilation of Israel, on the other hand, are intolerable and at the same time damage the cause of showing solidarity with the suffering people in the war,” Martin Huber concludes.
