Anti-Semitism discussion in Gießen: Friedman calls for civil courage
Anti-Semitism discussion in Gießen: Friedman calls for civil courage
In the auditorium of the Justus Liebig University in Gießen, a panel discussion recently took place, which dealt with a pressing topic: anti-Semitism in political space. Despite a well -filled auditorium and an informative panel, the mood was inhibited by the recent events, especially the terrorist attack of Hamas on October 7. Moderated by Laura Cazés, the political scientist Jakob Baier, the President of the Jewish Student Union in Germany, Hanna Veiler, and the prominent journalist Michel Friedman took part in the discussion.
The event was organized by Nabor Keweloh and Simon Beckmann for the Juso University Group Gießen and the Association of Jewish students Hesse in order to put the rising wave of anti-Semitic violence, especially at universities. Friedman, who was visibly affected, remembered his own school days 50 years ago and found that the situation for Jewish people did not improve, but rather worsened. He asked the question: "Has something changed since then?" and campaigned for increased engagement against discrimination.
increase in anti -Semitism and political extremism
In the course of the discussion, Friedman commented on the results of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia and the importance of the AfD as an open right -wing extremist party that was legitimized by democratic elections. He warned that although she was chosen democratically, this does not automatically mean that it also acts democratically. Alarmed, he showed himself in particular about the high support of the AfD among young people, which indicates a growing youth culture that spreads right -wing extremist views.These statements provoked an interjection of a city -famous interferer who insulted Friedman out of the row as a "agitator". Despite multiple attempts by Friedman to talk to the interferer, he was expelled from the hall after 20 minutes of the roar. This illustrated the tense and emotional topics with which the discussed were confronted.
As part of the discussion, Hanna Veiler addressed the terrifying reality with which Jewish students are faced with. She reported on anti -Semitic posters and an ubiquitous demand for the extinction of Israel, which are distributed in many universities. The violence, which often also takes place in digital space, shaked the self -confidence of its generation. The anti -Semitic attack on a synagogue left deep scars and changed the self -image of many young Jews in Germany.
Jakob Baier described the current state of anti -Semitism as an "absolute delimitation", in which incidents happen in such a fast rhythm that they can hardly be scandalized sufficiently. His words underlined the urgency of the topic and the inability to react regularly to the continued threat from anti -Semitic attacks.
A special moment was Friedman's appeal to the audience for civil courage. He emphasized that it was not only a moral obligation, but a matter of course, to intervene if a person's dignity is violated. This attitude could be crucial in the fight against discrimination of all kinds, not just against anti -Semitism.
Friedman's autobiography and his own story also played into the discussion. He referred to the importance of individual actions of the people who are able to help in critical moments. He himself owes his survival Oskar Schindler, who saved numerous Jewish life during the Holocaust. With this personal grade he created a connection to the younger discussants and their experiences.
The discussion ended without a clear solution being presented, but it created a space for the exchange of thoughts on a serious topic that is still part of the German political landscape. The interlocutors were at the pulse of a phenomenon, which must not only be viewed historically, but also present and future -oriented.
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