news Germany to classify calls to boycott Israel as antisemitism; boosts arms exports

November 2

BERLIN – Germany's ruling parties have agreed on a landmark resolution on combatting antisemitism that will be put to parliament this week, according to political sources.

The non-binding statement aims to toughen the official campaign against antisemitism that has made headlines since Hamas's October 7, 2023, massacre sparked the ongoing war in Gaza.

Intensely debated by lawmakers of the ruling Social Democratic Party (SDP), Greens and Free Democrats (FDP) with the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU), the draft says no group that "questions the right of Israel to exist or calls for a boycott of Israel" should receive public funding.

It says the mounting antisemitism is "more and more manifest and violent in far-right circles" and also linked to "left-wing anti-imperialism" groups.

The resolution will be submitted to parliament this week.

The aim is to "protect, preserve and strengthen Jewish life in Germany," according to a version seen by AFP.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/germanys-ruling-parties-agree-on-landmark-resolution-to-combat-antisemitism/

New figures show that Germany's export of arms to Israel have increased sharply from August onwards, with a much higher figure than was previously reported for the year thus far.

Germany's arms exports to Israel are much higher than the government said they were, with new numbers showing the government approved exports worth €94 million since August alone.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had categorically denied that his ruling coalition had stopped approving arms exports to Israel, telling parliament in October, "We have delivered weapons, and we will deliver weapons."

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/10/24/german-arms-exports-to-israel-increase-despite-export-ban-rumours