German Parliament passes controversial resolution backing 'Israel'
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While the resolution is non-binding, it encourages Germany to continue prioritizing "Israel's" security as a key element of its foreign policy.
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A woman at the press tribune takes a photo during a session of German parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP)
Germany's parliament has approved a resolution titled "Never Again is Now: Protecting, Preserving, and Strengthening Jewish Life in Germany," sparking debate over free expression amid heightened tensions surrounding the genocide in Gaza.
The motion, passed Thursday with backing from the Social Democrats, CDU-CSU, Greens, and Free Democrats, seeks to cut public funding for groups under allegations of "anti-Semitism", denying "Israel's" right to exist, or calling for the boycott of "Israel".
While the resolution is non-binding, it encourages Germany to continue prioritizing "Israel's" security as a key element of its foreign policy.
It also proposes stricter actions in schools, including expulsion for students involved in "anti-Semitic" incidents. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance opposed the measure, and the Left Party abstained.
Repressing free speech
The resolution has drawn criticism from civil society groups, Jewish intellectuals, and rights advocates, who argue that conflating criticism of "Israel's" policies with anti-Semitism could stifle freedom of speech, academic inquiry, and artistic expression.
In a statement, nearly 100 Jewish artists and scholars in Germany warned the motion could inadvertently harm Jewish life in Germany by associating all Jews with the Israeli regime's actions.
Rights groups expressed similar concerns, noting that equating criticism of "Israel" with anti-Semitism undermines efforts to combat genuine anti-Semitism.
The resolution follows calls from dozens of human rights organizations urging Germany to halt arms supplies to "Israel", which have surged since the start of "Israel's" genocide in Gaza.
New "antisemitism" law will "weaken diversity of Jewish life by associating all Jews with the actions of the Israeli government"—100 Jewish artists and intellectuals in Germany
— Bean (@SomersetBean) November 7, 2024
AfD thanks Greens for supporting antisemitic, anti-free speech law in Germany: pic.twitter.com/4rsnO3Dkaf
Read more: Palestinian factions label Germany as 'Zionist' after FM statement
Germany has consistently been a significant arms supplier to "Israel", ranking as the second-largest exporter after the US.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Germany accounted for 30% of "Israel's" major arms imports between 2019 and 2023.
In 2023, Germany approved arms exports to "Israel" valued at approximately €326.5 million ($353 million), marking a substantial increase compared to previous years.
Data revealed by the German Foreign Ministry revealed that Germany has approved over $100 million in military exports to "Israel" since August, marking a significant increase following a drop in arms exports earlier this year.
