Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

S.A. author, Egyptian artist return German medal over Gaza genocide

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 7 Mar 2024 18:51
  • 3 Shares
3 Min Read

Since 1975, Germany has recognized the Goethe Medal, which was initially presented in 1955, as an official badge of honor. 

  • x
  • S.A, Egyptian artists surrender German medal over Gaza genocide
    Policemen stand at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Frankfurt am Main on November 3, 2023. (AFP)

A South African novelist and publisher and an Egyptian artist have returned their Goethe Medals due to Germany's complicity in the war on Gaza.

Zukiswa Wanner from South Africa received the medal in 2020, while Egyptian artist Mohamed Abla received the medal in 2022. 

Since 1975, Germany has recognized the Goethe Medal, which was initially presented in 1955, as an official badge of honor. 

In early February, the Nicaraguan government started proceedings to take Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Canada to the ICJ for their complicity in the genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza by providing the Israeli occupation with weapons and means.

In a letter, Wanner explained that in her travels to Palestine and while visiting occupied territories, she was "shaken" by what she saw as a "writer coming from a country with a history of apartheid."

She added that the "daily injustices and indignities" against Palestinians were evident and that despite German guilt for the Holocaust, the country should make its position "on a current genocide in Palestine all the more shameful."

"I wish that the German government, in reflection and saying ‘never again’ would acknowledge that NEVER AGAIN should be for ANYBODY." Instead, she noted that Germany is, yet again, on the wrong side of history.

Related News

Gaza Resistance targets Israeli forces in Khan Younis, central areas

UN, Oxfam warn famine looms as 'Israel' shuts Gaza’s last aid crossing

Wanner touched on the fact that Germany has been silencing and canceling cultural events by those who are mostly anti-Zionist Jews, citing that she is incapable of remaining silent regarding a government that is "this callous to human suffering."

Mohamed Abla, an Egyptian visual artist, also returned his Goethe medal in solidarity with Palestine. 

According to a post on X by Cairoscene, Alba expressed that artists have a "social responsibility" that cannot be separated from their work life. 

Egyptian Artist Mohamed Abla returns Goethe Medal in solidarity with Palestine. pic.twitter.com/V12OshqO8g

— Writing Africa (@writingafrica_) March 6, 2024

In mid-February, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged "Israel" to respect international law amid growing concerns over its planned invasion of the tightly-packed Rafah.

At the Munich Security Conference, Scholz showed support for the Israeli occupation but shed light on how it should adhere to international law, stating, "Israel has the right to defend their own country, and this is what the United States, and what Germany and many others are just stating."

"We are also very clear on the things that are important to be said. So first humanitarian aid has to get to Gaza, and more as we see today. Second, that the way the war is handled is according to international law," he stressed.

When asked by the moderator about the Western response to the Israeli war against Gaza, Scholz criticized the response talking about hypocrisy and double standards as the West has failed to prevent the Israeli occupation from committing its crimes in Gaza. 

Scholz also stated that his government has been expressing its concerns to the Israeli occupation government and stressing their responsibility to adhere to international law.

  • Gaza Strip
  • Egypt
  • Gaza genocide
  • Germany
  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation
  • Gaza
  • war on Gaza
  • Palestine
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025
UKLFI’s latest faux pas, like "Israel’s" recent failed attempt at regime change in Iran, is unambiguously indicative of a flailing entity on the verge of extinction. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

Zionist lawfare operation facing collapse?

  • Opinion
  • 13 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by "Israel" on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, July 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'We Have Recovered': Lebanon marks 1st anniversary of Pager Attack

The Arab neighborhood of El Za'im, on the outskirts of east Occupied Al-Quds in the West Bank, near where Israeli government says housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement project, Thursday, August 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Palestine

'Israel’s' deliberate policies drive West Bank economy toward collapse

Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Politics

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns over parent company curbing activism

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll
US & Canada

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS