Antisemitism Definitions Debate "The Left is Giving Certain People a Pass"
"Left-leaning groups might provide leniency to certain individuals without accountability"
Revamped Headline: Antisemitism Definitions - A Clarification from Historian and Expert Juliane Wetzel
InterviewsAntisemitismIsraelIsrael-hostilityPoliticsParty PoliticsChemnitz
At the Left Party's congress in Chemnitz, the party leadership sought to prevent a controversial move: a last-minute vote to support the "Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism" (JDA). Despite a brief debate, the delegates approved the resolution, leading to internal criticism and raised eyebrows. Germany's Bundestag Vice President, Bodo Ramelow, denounced the decision: "Eliminating Israel and destroying or driving out Jews is antisemitic!"
ntv.de invited antisemitism expert Juliane Wetzel to discuss the two competing definitions - IHRA and JDA. Wetzel noted that criticisms of Israel only become antisemitic if they are couched in antisemitic stereotypes. However, in Germany, the IHRA definition is often incorrectly applied, with criticism of Israel mistakenly labeled as antisemitic.
ntv.de: With the Left Party's decision to support the Jerusalem Declaration, what's your perspective?
Juliane Wetzel: Politicians and organizations across the spectrum have criticized the IHRA definition for some time, so it's only natural that the Left Party has joined the JDA. The issue, however, is many people don't understand that the IHRA originally includes a clause permitting criticism of the Israeli government without it being considered antisemitic.
You mean the following sentence: "However, criticism of Israel that is comparable to criticism of other countries cannot be considered antisemitic."
Exactly. When Germany and the German Bundestag recommended the IHRA definition in 2017, this clause was omitted.
Why was it omitted?
Hypotheses suggest it was a political decision, but I can't confirm this assertion.
Why do we need a definition of antisemitism?
The IHRA definition wasn't intended for scientific use. Instead, it was designed to support practical work, particularly in the areas of Holocaust remembrance and education. Due to a multitude of requests, they found it necessary to develop this definition from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which I was a member of for more than twenty years. We chose to make the definition broad because we knew it would include countries that wouldn't agree otherwise. It was meant to serve as a point of orientation and be open to interpretation.
Because not all criticism of Israel is antisemitic.
Correct, though many still believe otherwise.
Wetzel clarified that in her research for the Independent Expert Council on Antisemitism, she defined criticism of Israel as antisemitic when it is charged with antisemitic stereotypes, compares Israel to National Socialism (with a typical victim-perpetrator reversal), or questions Israel's right to exist. She acknowledged that there are gray areas in this debate, noting that the accusation of antisemitism is too frequently levied without proper examination.
Wetzel explained that the Jerusalem Declaration differs from the IHRA definition in numerous ways and is more specific on some topics, such as the BDS movement. While she regarded a boycott of Israel as senseless, she recognized that context plays a crucial role in determining if antisemitism is present.
- Juliane Wetzel, an antisemitism expert, clarified that criticism of Israel only becomes antisemitic if it is laced with antisemitic stereotypes, or if it compares Israel to National Socialism with a typical victim-perpetrator reversal, or questions Israel's right to exist.
- Wetzel also underscored the importance of understanding that the Jerusalem Declaration differs from the IHRA definition in various aspects, and is more specific on selected topics, such as the BDS movement. While she considers a boycott of Israel to be irrational, she emphasizes that the context plays a crucial role in determining if antisemitism is present.
