It is a Shame
Regarding the rally in Essen „Stop bombarding Gaza – For an end of the escalation in the Near East“, general secretary of DIE LINKE, Matthias Höhn, declares:
Events during and after the rally „Stop bombarding Gaza – For an end of the escalation in the Near East“ in Essen today, affect me deeply.
That prior to an event which DIE LINKE called for as well, the protection of Jewish facilities had to be increased, that at such a rally anti-Semitic slogans were chanted, that the Essen synagogue was the professed goal of anti-Israel participants of this rally, that bottles and stones were thrown on pro-Israel demonstraters – all this mortifies me.
Our programme states: „Because of Germans’ unprecedented crimes against the Jews during German Fascism, Germany has a particular responsibility to confront any type of anti-Semitism, racism, oppression, and war. This responsibility specifically obligates us to advocate for Israel’s right to exist.“
This has to remain true and this will remain true.
I am convinced that the members of my party see this in the same way. Therefore it is our all duty to articulate legitimate critique of the policy of the Israeli government in content and form such as to offer no possible connection for anti-Semitic groups and actions. Events like todays‘ in Essen may not be repeated.
DIE LINKE stands for a peaceful settlement of the Near East conflict in the framework of a two-state-solution and thus for the recognition of an autonomous and viable Palestinian state by international law. Hate, terrorism, and violence will not bring the people of this region closer to their aim – quite to the contrary.