The Anti-Germans The Pro-Israel German Left

Dr. Simon Erlanger, June 30, 2009 Filed Under: Europe and Israel

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Jewish Political Studies Review 21:1-2 (Spring 2009) I" is no secre" "&a" "&e $erman le'"(s ou"look "oda) is, and &as been 'or some "ime, predominan"l) an"i*Israel and an"i*+merican. Far less !ell*kno!n is "&e e,is"ence o' a small bu" in'luen"ial pro* Israel mo-emen" !i"&in "&e $erman le'", a mo-emen" !&ic& c&allenges "&e e,is"ing an"i*Israel consensus. &e .+n"i*$erman/ 0o-emen", as i" is kno!n, gre! ou" o' a communis" s"uden" organi1a"ion. In #929 i" 'inall) emerged as a mo-emen" in i"s o!n rig&" in opposi"ion "o $erman reuni'ica"ion. Fearing "&e emergence o' a ne! 'ascism 'rom "&e social and poli"ical d)namics o' reuni'ica"ion, "&e +n"i*$ermans 'ig&" an) mani'es"a"ion o' $erman na"ionalism, aligning "&emsel-es !i"& "&e -ic"ims o' 3a1i $erman) and "&eir descendan"s. 4ike!ise, seeing elemen"s o' $erman na"ionalism in "&e $erman %eace 0o-emen", "&e +n"i*$ermans &a-e become i"s s"rong opponen"s. During "&e #990s "&e mo-emen" percei-ed modern*da) $erman e,is"ence as domina"ed b) d)namics be"!een "&e s"a"e, econom), and socie") similar "o "&ose "&a" led "o 3a"ional Socialism and "&e 5olocaus". oda) "&e +n"i*$ermans discern 'ascism and mili"an" an"i*Semi"ism as mos" apparen" in Islamism and "&ere'ore s"rongl) denounce mili"an" poli"ical Islam. +" "&e same "ime, "&e) o''er uncondi"ional suppor" 'or Israel, "&e Je!s, and "&e U.S., in opposi"ion "o "&e dominan" poli"ical discourse amongs" "&e $erman public in general and "&e le'" in par"icular. Unable "o 'orm a mass mo-emen" or an organi1a"ion large enoug& "o "ake an ac"i-e role in poli"ical li'e, "&e +n"i* $erman 0o-emen" &as become an in'luen"ial publicis" mo-emen" cen"ered on se-eral maga1ines and 6ournals. +s !ri"ers, social scien"is"s, and 6ournalis"s, +n"i*$ermans &a-e been able "o e,er" a gro!ing impac" on "&e le'" and on public opinion. E-er since "&e emergence in #972 o' a .ne! le'",/ an"i*8ionism &as been an in"egral par" o' "&e creed o' "&e $erman le'". In "&e a'"erma"& o' "&e 5olocaus", "&e old union*orien"ed $erman le'" "ook a largel) pro*Israel posi"ion. 9e" in "&e second &al' o' "&e si,"ies, under "&e in'luence o' "&e pro"es" mo-emen" agains" "&e :ie"nam ;ar and "&e reign o' "&e ideologies o' an"i*imperialism and an"i* +mericanism amongs" "&e s"uden" mo-emen"s, "&e ne! le'" emerged. %rior "o June #97<, "&ere !as s"ill !idespread s)mpa"&) 'or Israel. Follo!ing "&e Si,*Da) ;ar, "&e "ide "urned comple"el): Israel !as no! iden"i'ied !i"& imperialism and placed in "&e same imperialis" ca"egor) as "&e U.S., !&ic& &ad alread) become "&e pre'erred ob6ec" o' &a"e among "&e pro"es"ing )ou"& o' ;es"ern $erman). &us in a s"range "!is", "&e s"uden" ac"i-is"s !&o &ad pre-iousl) risen up agains" "&e suppressed 3a1i*pas" o' "&eir elders no! a""ribu"ed "&eir paren"s( sins "o "&e -ic"ims. &e) also associa"ed "&ese sins !i"& "&e U.S., one o' "&e na"ions cen"ral in de'ea"ing 3a1i $erman), ending "&e 5olocaus", and bringing democrac) and prosperi") "o ;es"ern $erman). &is ps)c&ological pro6ec"ion did =and does> ser-e "o alle-ia"e $erman guil". 5o!e-er, !&ile "&e s"uden" genera"ion o' #972 could "&us begin "o make i"s peace !i"& "&e genera"ion o' .perpe"ra"ors,/ "&e -ic"ims !ere delegi"imi1ed and

once more became "&rea"ened. +l"&oug& con"inuing "o iden"i') !i"& "&e murdered Je!s and "&eir cul"ure, some o' "&e mili"an" genera"ion o' #972 began "o rise up agains" li-ing Je!s, resul"ing in a""acks on Je!is& "arge"s, suc& as "&e 'ailed plo" "o bomb "&e ?erlin Je!is& @ommuni") @en"er on 9 3o-ember #979. &is process culmina"ed !i"& "&e "urn o' mili"an" proponen"s o' "&e ne! $erman le'" "o in"erna"ional "errorismA in "&eir 'ig&" agains" imperialism "&ese mili"an"s coopera"ed closel) !i"& %ales"inian "error groups, "aking par" in "&e &i6acking o' an +ir France plane "o En"ebbe, Uganda in #9<7. In 'ac", in an ac" reminiscen" o' "&e selec"ions on "&e ramp a" +usc&!i"1, a $erman "erroris" di-ided "&e Je!is& 'rom "&e non*Je!is& passengers. Despi"e "&e 'ac" "&a" "&is ac" sen" pro'ound s&ock !a-es "&roug& "&e $erman le'", leading some "o reconsider "&eir an"i*Israel bias, b) "&e la"e #9<0s %alBs"ina*Solidari"B" and an an"i*8ionis" consensus &ad emerged amongs" "&e ne! le'". + number o' !ri"ers and obser-ers, suc& as Jean +mCr), &eodor ;. +dorno, and Eike $eisel, iden"i'ied "&is p&enomenon a" a rela"i-el) earl) s"age. 9e" i" !as "&e s"rong an"i*Israel pro"es" in $erman) during "&e 4ebanon ;ar o' #922, including i"s numerous comparisons o' Israel "o 3a1i $erman), !&ic& sparked "&e 'irs" in"ense deba"e on an"i*8ionism and an"i*Semi"ism !i"&in $erman le'"*!ing groups. +" 'irs", "&e con"ro-ers) "ook place largel) !i"&in "&e in"ellec"ual circles o' "&e le'", reac&ing a !ider audience !i"& "&e publica"ion in #927 o' Der e!ige +n"isemi" b) "&e 6ournalis" and !ri"er 5enr)k ?roder.D#E In numerous e,amples, ?roder repea"edl) dre! a""en"ion "o "&e emergence o' a speci'ic an"i*Semi"ism o' "&e le'" disguised as, and gro!ing ou" o', an"i*8ionism. ;&ile ?roder(s book !as a polemic, &is"orian Dan DinerD2E and poli"ical scien"is" +ndrei S. 0arko-i"sD3E !ro"e sc&olarl) !orks on an"i*+mericanism and an"i*Semi"ism and o"&er au"&ors &a-e since 'ollo!ed sui". Fecen"l), S!iss &is"orian @&ris"ina Spae"i described in a de"ailed s"ud) "&e -er) same de-elopmen" in S!i"1erland.DGE Similar s"udies also e,is" concerning +us"ria.DHE ;&ile "&e +n"i*$erman 0o-emen" e,"ends "o +us"ria, !i"& some leading +n"i*$erman in"ellec"uals residing in :ienna, $erman) lies a" "&e cen"re o' "&e discussion in "&is ar"icle, since i" is "&ere "&a", since "&e earl) #990s, "&e an"i*8ionis" consensus o' "&e le'" &as been c&allenged 'rom !i"&in and "&e an"i* Semi"ism o' "&e le'" &as become a &o"l) deba"ed issue.

Origins-Against Reunification
&e c&allenge "o "&e an"i*8ionis" consensus o' "&e le'" can be "raced "o e-en"s surrounding "&e $erman reuni'ica"ion in #929, "oge"&er !i"& "&e gro!"& o' "&e so*called .+n"i*$erman/ 0o-emen" ou" o' "&e Iommunis"isc&er ?und =I?>, a small communis" s"uden" organi1a"ion 'ounded in #9<#. D7E In opposi"ion "o o"&er groups o' "&e s"uden" le'", "&e I? !as 'inanciall) and poli"icall) independen" and no" bound "o an) o' "&e communis" par"ies o' Eas"ern $erman), "&e USSF, or @&ina,D<E making possible a cer"ain di-ersi") o' opinion !i"&in i"s ranks. I" also di''ered 'rom o"&er groups in "&e nega"i-e -ie! o' $erman &is"or) "&a" i" "ook. In i"s Fasc&isierungs* &ese i" looked upon "&e emergence o' a ne! 'ascism as a realis"ic possibili"), !&ic& could come abou" a" an) momen". ;&en, b) #92H, "&is &ad no" "ranspired and ;es" $erman) seemed "o be a sa'e democrac), an argumen" broke ou" in "&e I? !&ic& "ore i" apar", a minori") s"ill regarding "&e emergence o' a ne! 'ascism as a real possibili"). ;i"& "&e arri-al o' reuni'ica"ion in #929, "&e spli" in "&e I? in"ensi'ied, "&e minori") 6oining o"&er groups suc& as "&e 5amburg Fadical 4e'". ?) #99#, "&e I? &ad dissol-ed and "&e minori") &ad le'", reorgani1ed, and renamed i"sel' $roup I. 0embers o' "&is group included !ri"ers suc& as JJrgen ElsBsser and 0a""&ias IJn"1el, !&o !ere "o pla) an impor"an" role in "&e +n"i*$erman 0o-emen". $roup I edi"ed "&e Journal ?a&amasD2E !&ic&, "oge"&er !i"& "&e maga1ines Jungle ;orldD9E and Ionkre",D#0E became "&e cen"ral -oice o' "&e +n"i*$erman and +n"i*3a"ional 0o-emen"s "&a" gre! ou" o', amongs" o"&ers, "&e I?, Fadical 4e'", and $roup I.D##E +ll o' "&ese groups opposed reuni'ica"ion. &e) called "&emsel-es +n"i*$erman or +n"i*3a"ional, adop"ing "&e slogan .3ie !ieder Deu"sc&land/ or .ne-er again $erman)./ Due "o "&e social and poli"ical d)namics !&ic& reuni'ica"ion appeared "o unleas&, as !ell as "&e dispropor"ional

geopoli"ical and economic !eig&" a uni"ed $erman) !as belie-ed "o &a-e in Europe, "&e) 'eared "&e emergence o' a ne! $erman Feic&. &e publis&er 5erber" $remli1a, !&o since #9<G &as &eaded "&e mon"&l) maga1ine Ionkre", resigned 'rom "&e Social Democra"ic %ar") =S%D> a" "&e "ime. + s"rong opponen" o' all mani'es"a"ions o' $erman na"ionalism and pa"rio"ism, &e !as repulsed b) "&e singing o' "&e $erman na"ional an"&em b) members o' all o' ;es" $erman)(s poli"ical par"ies in unison, including "&e Social Democra"s, 'ollo!ing "&e demoli"ion o' "&e ?erlin ;all. I" reminded &im o' "&e Social Democra"s 6oining "&e 3a"ional Socialis"s in singing "&e $erman na"ional an"&em in #933, 'ollo!ing 5i"ler(s declara"ion o' &is 'oreign polic).D#2E &us came in"o being "&e +n"i*3a"ionalis" and +n"i*$erman 4e'". I"s members 'el" 6us"i'ied in "&eir opposi"ion "o reuni'ica"ion b) a rise in racis" a""acks 'ollo!ing #929 and a general increase in "&e s"reng"& o' "&e e,"reme rig&". For "&em, reuni'ica"ion broug&" !i"& i" "&e danger "&a" "&e la"en" 'ascism o' "&e collec"i-e $erman iden"i"), "&e :olksgemeinsc&a'", suppressed e''ec"i-el) b) "&e +llies "&roug& measures o' re*educa"ion and con"rol a'"er #9GH, could no! resur'ace again. o "&is da) man) +n"i*$ermans oppose an) displa) o' $erman na"ional s)mbols, including "&e $erman na"ional 'lag, e-en on suc& occasions as "&e Foo"ball ;orld @up @&ampions&ip o' 2007. &e +n"i*$erman and +n"i*3a"ional 0o-emen"s 'irs" made "&eir public appearance a" "!o large demons"ra"ions agains" reuni'ica"ion on #2 0a) #990 and 3 3o-ember #990. ;&ereas a" "&e 'irs" some #G,000 people ga"&ered in Frank'ur" "o pro"es" agains" .$erman na"ionalism, "&e coloniali1a"ion o' Eas"ern $erman) and "&e anne,a"ion o' "&e $DF,/D#3E "&e second demons"ra"ion(s slogan .Dea"& Is a 0as"er 'rom $erman)/ a""rac"ed an a""endance o' onl) 2,000. D#GE &is signaled "&e beginning o' "&e end o' "&e +n"i*$ermans as a mass poli"ical mo-emen". &e) bo)co""ed "&e 'irs" all*$erman elec"ions &eld on 2 December #990. In addi"ion "o "&is, !&en reuni'ica"ion progressed smoo"&l) and did no" lead "o "&e es"ablis&men" o' a 'ascis" en"i"), mos" ad&eren"s los" in"eres" and le'". &ose !&o remained ci"ed "&e discussions on $erman)(s eas"ern borders and a rising an"i*Semi"ism as "&eir reasons 'or doing so. In "&eir opposi"ion "o rig&" !ing ac"i-i") "&e +n"i*$ermans subseKuen"l) became par" o' "&e +n"i'a, a loose ne"!ork o' "&e so*called au"onomous, an"i*'ascis"ic le'", mos" o' !&om in "&eir 'ig&" agains" capi"alism "ook "o "&e occupa"ion o' emp") &ouses =5ausbese"1ungen> and demons"ra"ions agains", as !ell as s"ree"*ba""les !i"&, e,"reme rig&" skin&eads and "&e e,"reme rig&" !ing 3a"ional Democra"ic %ar") =3%D>.

Support of Israel
+ )ear la"er, during Lpera"ion Deser" S"orm =#99#>, "&e +n"i*$ermans and +n"i*3a"ionals resur'aced as a poli"ical 'orce on "&e le'". E,pressing uncondi"ional suppor" o' Israel, "&e) "ook a s"and agains" "&e $erman %eace 0o-emen". &is mo-emen" &ad no" reac"ed "o "&e IraKi occupa"ion o' Iu!ai", )e" &undreds o' "&ousands pro"es"ed agains" subseKuen" U.S. and allied in"er-en"ion in "&e con'lic". &e +n"i*$ermans and +n"i*3a"ionals, ga"&ered around "&e maga1ine Ionkre", considered "&e %eace 0o-emen" "o be morall) bankrup". &e) 'a-ored "&e !ar and "&e res"ora"ion o' in"erna"ional order as a measure agains" a "o"ali"arian regime !&ic& reminded "&em o' 3a1i $erman). 4ike!ise, "&e) sa! i" as a mons"rosi") "&a" $erman "ec&nolog) deli-ered "o IraK no! "&rea"ened Israel, !&ile "&e %eace 0o-emen" pro"es"ed onl) agains" "&e mili"ar) ac"ion !&ic& !ould remo-e a "&rea" "o Israel(s e,is"ence. Some o' "&em sa! in "&is %eace 0o-emen" a ne! mani'es"a"ion o' $erman na"ionalism. 5o!e-er, no" all 'a-ored "&e !ar agains" Saddam 5ussein, 'earing "&a" e-en modes" $erman par"icipa"ion in i" could become a 'irs" s"ep "o .grea" po!er/ poli"ics !&ic& "&e) !ould no" suppor". &e deba"e on suppor" 'or "&e !ar ou" o' &is"orical responsibili") 'or Israel led "o 'ur"&er 'ragmen"a"ion o' "&e +n"i*$ermans, b) no! a -er) small mo-emen" o' in"ellec"uals. 3e-er"&eless, "&roug& "&e maga1ines ?a&amas and Ionkre" "&eir opinions con"inued "o be &eard. In #99H "&e mo-emen" again mo-ed in"o poli"ical ac"ion. &a" )ear !i"nessed "!o na"ional

remembrance da)s: be"!een #3 and #H Februar) reuni"ed $erman) commemora"ed "&e 'i'"ie"& anni-ersar) o' "&e des"ruc"ion o' Dresden b) +llied bombers. Under "&e slogan .;e Do 3o" 0ourn,/ "&e +n"i*3a"ionals s"rongl) opposed an) commemora"ion !&ic& !ould, in "&eir e)es, lead "o a moral eKua"ion o' "&e bombing !i"& "&e 5olocaus". &e) claimed "&a" "&e des"ruc"ion o' Dresden &ad been a mili"ar) necessi") "o de'ea" 3a1ism and libera"e "&e concen"ra"ion camps. In "&eir -ie!, "&ere'ore, i" !as necessar) "o de'end "&e des"ruc"ion o' $erman ci"ies in order "o e,press solidari") !i"& "&e -ic"ims o' "&e 5olocaus"A 'or "&em, "&is !as proo' o' a le'"is" con-ic"ion. + subs"an"ial number dissen"ed and discussion o' "&e posi"ion, !&ic& !as, needless "o sa), ra"&er unpopular amongs" "&e general popula"ion, led "o )e" ano"&er spli" !i"&in "&e mo-emen". &e +u"onomic and o"&er +n"i'a groups, !&o !is&ed "o appeal "o "&e $erman masses and did no" "&ink "&e +n"i*3a"ional posi"ion !ould 'ur"&er "&is aim, par"ed compan) !i"& "&e +n"i*$ermans and +n"i* 3a"ionals. &e 'i'"ie"& anni-ersar) o' "&e end o' "&e Second ;orld ;ar 'inall) comple"ed "&e break o' "&e +n"i* $ermans !i"& "&e ma6ori") o' "&e $erman le'". &is once again marked "&e end o' "&e +n"i* 3a"ionals and +n"i*$ermans as poli"ical mo-emen"s 'or some "ime. $roup I also dissol-ed. Despi"e a cer"ain disdain 'or ac"i-e poli"ics a'"er #99H,D#HE "&e +n"i*3a"ionals and +n"i*$ermans con"inued as academic mo-emen"s, producing an impressi-e number o' learned ar"icles and s"a"emen"s. &e maga1ine ?a&amas con"inued "o appear, 'orming a 'ocal poin" 'or "&is in"ellec"ual mo-emen" +" "&e same "ime, "&e mo-emen" also ga-e i"sel' an ideological and scien"i'ic basis in "&e cri"ical "&eor) o' "&e Frank'ur" Sc&ool under &eodor ;. +dorno and 0a, 5ork&eimer. +par" 'rom i"s 0ar,is" roo"s, "&is cri"ical "&eor) &as also been s&aped b) ps)c&oanal)sis: di''ering uses o' ps)c&oanal)"ical ca"egories ma) accoun" 'or "&e -ar)ing resul"s o' "&e +n"i*$ermans( social anal)sis. From "&is deri-es "&e rela"i-e unimpor"ance a""ribu"ed "o =or "&e de'ermen" o'> economic Kues"ions in "&e poli"ical demands o' "&e +n"i*$ermans, as !ell as "&eir s"rong emp&asis on cri"icism o' ideolog) =Ideologiekri"ik>. &e in'luence o' ps)c&oanal)sis !i"&in cri"ical "&eor) &as &ad man) rami'ica"ions 'or +n"i*$erman "&inking, including i"s no"ion o' communism. In an) case, "&e prominence o' 0ar,is" elemen"s in +n"i*$erman "&inking con"inuall) diminis&ed during "&e #990s. ;&ile s"ill en-isioning some kind o' ideal communis" 'inal s"age 'or &uman &is"or), man) +n"i*$ermans ac"uall) came close "o !&a" mig&" bes" be described as classical ;es"ern liberal "&inking.

Gol hagen
I" !as on "&e basis o' "&is ra"&er academic and li"erar) ac"i-i") "&a" "&e +n"i*$ermans reac"ed "o "&e con"ro-ers) o-er Daniel Jona& $old&agen(s book, 5i"ler(s ;illing E,ecu"ioners: Lrdinar) $ermans and "&e 5olocaus", !&ic& preoccupied "&e $erman public in #997. &e book pu" 'or!ard "&e "&eor) "&a" "&ere !as a speci'ic $erman .elimina"or) an"i*Semi"ism/ !&ic& made "&e 5olocaus" possible. ;&en "&e book !as publis&ed in $erman) i" caused ideological con"ro-ers) amongs" "&e +n"i* $erman and +n"i*3a"ional le'", some members o' !&ic& -ie!ed "&e deba"e as a "es" case o' Kui"e &o! read) "&e le'" !as "o deal !i"& "&e lessons o' "&e 5olocaus". Some s"uck "o 0ar,is" models, 6udged b) o"&ers as in&eren"l) an"i*Semi"ic, !&ile )e" o"&ers "ried "o 'i" $old&agen in"o pos"modern "&eor). &e con"ro-ers) !i"&in "&e +n"i*$ermans !as accen"ua"ed b) "&e publica"ion o' "&e book $old&agen und die deu"sc&e 4inke b) a group cen"ered around 0a""&ias IJn"1el. &is !ork a""emp"ed "o anal)1e &o! $old&agen(s "&esis !as recei-ed b) "&e $erman le'", i' a" all. IJn"1el and &is group came "o "&e conclusion "&a" "&e $erman le'" and "&e +n"i*$ermans &ad ac"uall) a-oided dealing !i"& $old&agen(s cen"ral "&esis, "&a" "&e "&eore"ical basis o' +n"i*$erman ideolog) could no" e,plain "&e 5olocaus". &is caused an in"ense deba"e !i"&in "&e +n"i*$ermans !&ic&, 'or "&e mos" par", "ook place in "&e pages o' "&e maga1ine Jungle ;orld. &ree 'ac"ions emerged: one based on pos"modern discourse "&eor), ano"&er on cri"ical "&eor), and "&e "&ird, !&ic& ga"&ered around

IJn"1el, considered unders"anding "&e reasons 'or "&e 5olocaus" "o be o' grea" impor"ance "o "&e +n"i*$ermans. In "&eir deba"es !i"& or"&odo, 0ar,ism and pos"modernism, !&ic& !ere no" res"ric"ed "o "&e $old&agen con"ro-ers), "&e +n"i*$ermans se" "&emsel-es apar" 'rom "&e res" o' "&e $erman le'". &e con"ro-ers) also marked "&e depar"ure 'rom "&e mo-emen" o' "&e 'ac"ion "&a" e,plained an"i*Semi"ism "&roug& pos"modern "&eor). &is 'ac"ion !en" on in #99< "o se" up i"s o!n 6ournal, #<M@, !&ic& deals almos" e,clusi-el) !i"& pos"modern "&eor).

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;&a"e-er remained o' "&e +n"i*3a"ional and +n"i*$erman 0o-emen"s re"urned "o "&e poli"ical deba"e in #999 !&en 3+ L !en" "o !ar agains" 9ugosla-ia o-er "&e escala"ing si"ua"ion in Ioso-o. +" 'irs" i" seemed "&a" "&e mo-emen" agreed in i"s opposi"ion "o "&is !ar. 9e" all "oo soon a ri'" opened be"!een "&e +n"i*3a"ionals and "&e +n"i*$ermans. ;&ile "&e +n"i*$ermans called 'or solidari") !i"& 9ugosla-ia, "&e +n"i*3a"ionals opposed eKuall) all par"icipan"s in "&e !ar. ?o"& +n"i*$ermans and +n"i*3a"ionals &eld $erman)(s earl) accep"ance o' @roa"ian independence responsible 'or "&e erup"ion o' "&e ?alkan !ars. &e) alleged "&a" $erman) con"inued "&e ?alkan policies o' "&e &ird Feic& "&roug& i"s pro*@roa"ian and an"i*Serbian policies. &e +n"i*3a"ionals !en" 'ur"&er, &olding "&e regime o' Slobodan 0ilose-ic responsible 'or ma)&em in "&e ?alkans and e,pressing "&eir opposi"ion "o all na"ionalisms, a posi"ion -e&emen"l) opposed b) "&e +n"i* $ermans. &e la""er sa! in "&e Ioso-o crisis "&e re"urn o' "&e cons"ella"ion o' "&e Second ;orld ;ar. &e au"&or and 6ournalis" JJrgen ElsBsser, a prominen" proponen" o' "&e +n"i*$erman 0o-emen", e-en claimed "&a" $erman) !as 'ig&"ing agains" "&e -ic"ims o' "&e Second ;orld ;ar: 9ugosla-ia and Israel !ere bo"& crea"ed a'"er "&e !ar b) -ic"ims o' "&e $ermans. I" !as 'or "&is reason "&a" "&e +n"i*$ermans 'el" "&e need "o suppor" "&em a" an) cos". +l"&oug& "&e +n"i*3a"ionals and "&e +n"i*$ermans par"ed compan) a" "&is 6unc"ure, "&e basis 'or "&eir s"rong suppor" o' Israel &ad been laid.

The Secon Intifa a an the Terror Attac!s of "" Septem#er $%%"

;i"& "&e ou"break o' "&e second In"i'ada in 2000, "&e a""i"ude "o Israel became cen"ral 'or "&e +n"i* $ermans, !&o b) "&en &ad regrouped around "&e maga1ine ?a&amas. In lig&" o' %ales"inian "error a""acks "&e) urged solidari") !i"& Israel. In $erman), "&e) !ere "&e 'irs" "o no"ice +rab an"i* Semi"ism, !&ic& resembled "&e elimina"or) an"i*Semi"ism o' "&e 3a1is, s"a"ing "&a" in i" Israel 'aced one o' "&e mos" aggressi-el) an"i*Je!is& collec"i-es in &is"or).D#7E &e) !en" on "o argue "&a" "&ere s&ould be no concessions "o a -oelkisc&*islamis" collec"i-e o' Je!*&a"ers.D#<E Ln "&is basis "&e +n"i*$ermans cri"ici1ed "&e peace process as a &is"orical mis"ake. ;i"&in $erman), "&e) !ere Kui"e alone in "&is a""i"ude. &eir solidari") !i"& Israel !as a response "o "&e $erman le'"(s .s"rong suppor" 'or "&e DsecondE in"i'ada/ and .an an"i*8ionis" consensus 'ormed 'rom "&e poli"ical le'" "o "&e poli"ical rig&"/ "&a" "&e) percei-ed as deepl) anc&ored in $erman socie").D#2E &e a""acks o' ## Sep"ember 200# added a pro*+merican s"ance "o "&e ou"look o' "&e +n"i*$ermans. &e) !ere repulsed b) "&e an"i*+mericanism conspirac) "&eories displa)ed in man) $erman reac"ions "o "error a""acks, especiall) on "&e le'". +n"i*imperialis" "&eor)*blaming "&e U.S. and "&e ;es" 'or "&e ills o' "&e &ird ;orld*!as re'u"ed b) "&e +n"i*$ermans. &e) sa! "&e a""acks as .'ascis" massacres/ b) .Islamo'ascis"s,/ mainl) mo"i-a"ed b) an"i*Semi"ism and an"i*+mericanism. D#9E UniKuel) 'or le'"is"s, "&e +n"i*$ermans e,plici"l) suppor"ed "&e U.S.*led !ars in +'g&anis"an and IraK. Jus"us ;er"mueller, "&e edi"or o' ?a&amas, e,plained "&e +n"i*$erman posi"ion in "&e 'ollo!ing manner: ."&e problem is s"ill "&a" $erman and Islamic resen"men"s are iden"ical: an"i* ;es"ern, an"i*liberal, an"i*Semi"ic. $erman*Islamic 'riends&ip s"ems 'rom "&e 'ac" "&a" "&e $ermans recogni1e "&emsel-es in poli"ical Islam, because i" is 'ascis" and a" "&e same "ime gi-es "&e impression o' being an indigenous cul"ure./D20E For "&e +n"i*$ermans, Islamism is "&e ne! 'ascism. $erman &is"or) &as demons"ra"ed "&a" 'ascism mus" be 'oug&" !i"&ou" compromise. 4ike!ise, "&e suppor" o' Israel as "&e re'uge o' "&e -ic"ims o'

"&e 5olocaus" mus" be uncondi"ional. oge"&er, "&e &is"orical cri"iKue o' 3a1ism and "&e -ie! o' Islamism as "&e ne! 'ascism e,plain "&e s"rong commi"men" o' "&e +n"i*$ermans "o Israel(s sur-i-al and i"s rig&" "o sel'*de'ense. &ese 'ac"ors also e,plain !&) "&e) percei-e Israel =and Diaspora Je!r), 'or "&a" ma""er> as e,"remel) -ulnerable. &e +n"i*$ermans, in de'ining "error as a resul" o' e,"remis" ideolog) ra"&er "&an socioeconomic condi"ions, in in"erpre"ing Islamism as .Islamo'ascism/ and uncondi"ionall) opposing i" and, las" bu" no" leas", in "&eir suppor" 'or Israel, &a-e become similar "o +merican 3eoconser-a"i-esA i" e-en seems "&a" "&e) borro!ed "&e "erm .Islamo'ascism/ 'rom "&a" group. Similar "o "&e +merican 3eoconser-a"i-es, "&e +n"i*$ermans "r) "o de'end !&a" "&e) percei-e as "&e posi"i-e produc"s o' a )e" incomple"e process o' enlig&"enmen" agains" "&ose 'orces !&ic& are a""emp"ing "o ."urn "&e clock back/ and gra-i"a"e "o!ard ne! 'orms o' barbarism. I" !as "&is line o' "&oug&" "&a" broug&" "&e +n"i*$ermans "o suppor" "&e second $ul' ;ar in 2003, in comple"e opposi"ion "o "&e posi"ion o' "&e $erman go-ernmen" and "&e ma6ori") o' "&e $erman public. +ll +n"i*$ermans opposed "&e %eace 0o-emen" as deepl) $erman, an"i*Israel, an"i* +merican and immoral*i" remained silen" on Saddam 5ussein(s crimes, !&ile e,posing Israel "o deadl) danger.D2#E ?a&amas and Jungle ;ord 'ull) suppor"ed "&e U.S. in-asion o' IraK. Ionkre" !as more ambi-alen", al"&oug& i" did call 'or Saddam 5ussein(s remo-al. &e +n"i* $ermans percei-ed a clear and presen" danger 'or Israel(s e,is"ence in IraKi !eapons o' mass des"ruc"ion and Saddam 5ussein(s suppor" o' suicide bombers. I" !as during "&e second $ul' ;ar and i"s a'"erma"& "&a" "&e +n"i*$ermans caug&" public a""en"ion and became an in'luen"ial 'orce "&roug& "&e man) ar"icles, books, and 6ournals "&a" "&e) publis&ed addressing sub6ec"s 'rom Islamism "o an"i*Semi"ism. +n"i*$erman groups sprung up "&roug&ou" $erman) and +us"ria. Increasing numbers o' small =non*Je!is&> groups !a-ing Israel 'lags can be seen "oda) a" demons"ra"ions, "&ereb) rede'ining "&e +n"i*$ermans( opposi"ion "o na"ional s)mbols. 9e" "&e mos" impor"an" legac) o' "&e +n"i*$ermans &as been "o "&e !ri"ers and )oung sc&olars in'luenced b) "&e mo-emen". &is in'luence per"ains also "o a broader in"ellec"ual public in $erman), +us"ria, and, "o a lesser degree, S!i"1erland. &e .Na ira/ publis&ing &ouse in Freiburg im ?reisgau &as publis&ed +n"i*$erman "e,"s. 5ermann $remli1a &as publis&ed a series o' books cri"ici1ing general $erman a""i"udes and de'ending Israel, including +merika, Dic& &ass" sic&(s besser: +n"iamerikanismus und +n"isemi"ismus in Europa b) +ndrei S. 0arko-i"1, as !ell as !orks b) &omas -on der Sacken*Ls"en and 9aaco- 4o1o!ick, "&e 'ormer direc"or o' 9ad :as&em(s arc&i-es. 0a""&ias IJn"1el(s book D6i&ad und Juden&ass: Ober den neuen an"isemi"isc&en Irieg, !&ic& 'ocuses on Ji&adis" Ideolog), &as become essen"ial reading. I" !as recen"l) "ransla"ed in"o Englis& as Ji&ad and Je!*5a"red: Islamism, 3a1ism and "&e Foo"s o' 9P##. Ln #H +pril 2002 $regor $)si, one o' "&e &eads o' Die 4inke, a merger o' "&e ;es" $erman e,"reme le'" and "&e %DS =successor "o "&e Eas" $erman S"alinis" SED> !arned o' "&e dangers o' "&e le'"(s an"i*8ionism. Ins"ead o' one*sided suppor" 'or "&e %ales"inians, &e called 'or solidari") !i"& Israel.D22E For "&e e,"reme le'" "&is cons"i"u"es a c&ange o' paradigm, probabl) un"&inkable !i"&ou" "&e relen"less !ri"ing o' "&e +n"i*$ermans. $)si ma) "o some e,"en" &a-e ac"ed under pressure 'rom a group !i"&in &is par")(s )ou"& mo-emen" called ?+I S&alom in'luenced b) +n"i*$erman "&inking, as !ell as due "o public cri"icism direc"ed agains" "&e more &ard*core an"i*8ionis" elemen"s !i"&in "&e par"). &ese &ard*core an"i*8ionis" elemen"s con"inue "o pla) an impor"an" role !i"&in Die 4inke. + 'e! da)s a'"er $)si(s !arning, on #9 +pril 2002, Fran1iska Dro&sel =22>, "&e presiden" o' "&e 9oung Socialis"s =Jusos>, "&e )ou"& organi1a"ion o' "&e more mains"ream S%D, s&arpl) cri"ici1ed "&e an"i*Semi"ism o' "&e le'".D23E S&e a""acked conspirac) "&eories and an"i*8ionism, using "&e anal)sis de-eloped b) "&e +n"i*$ermans. Dro&sel also asked "&e le'" "o dis"ance i"sel' 'rom Islamism and "o 'ig&" ac"i-el) agains" an"i*Semi"ism. Lne ma) &ope "&a" "&e "ide is no! "urning and "&a", due "o "&e !ork o' "&e +n"i*$ermans, "&e $erman le'" &as become more s)mpa"&e"ic "o Israel "&an i" !as in "&e pas".

&onclusion
&e +n"i*$erman 0o-emen" remains small as a resul" o' man) 'ragmen"a"ions and ideological ri'"s and spli"s, )e" no" !i"&ou" in'luence. I"s members !ill ne-er cons"i"u"e a poli"ical mass mo-emen" or 'orm a big 'ac"ion !i"&in one o' "&e curren" "!o ma6or par"ies o' "&e $erman le'". %recisel) because o' "&e man) spli"s i" &as undergone, "&e +n"i*$erman 0o-emen", !&ose origins lie in one o' "&e I*$roups, &as become &e"erogeneous. I" is comprised o' 'ormer I*$roup members, as !ell as +n"i'a*ac"i-is"s, cer"ain .+u"onome/ !ri"ers and un*dogma"ic le'"*!ing s"uden"s. +" "&e same "ime, "&ere &a-e also been breaka!a) groups or indi-iduals !&ic& !ould consider "&emsel-es as liberals in an +nglo*Sa,on sense, !&ile s"ill re"aining man) o' "&e +n"i*$erman "ene"s, suc& as solidari") !i"& Israel and "&e U.S., de'ense o' liberal ;es"ern socie"), and an"i*"o"ali"arianism. Despi"e "&e 'ragmen"a"ions !&ic& "&e mo-emen" &as undergone, i" &as pro-en in'luen"ial and &as managed "o c&ange a" leas" some a""i"udes in a coun"r) !&ere, according "o a recen" poll, << percen" see Israel as a "&rea" "o !orld peace. 3e-er"&eless, !&ile "&e +n"i*$ermans &a-e &ad in'luence 'ar be)ond "&eir small numbers due "o "&e comparabl) &ig& in"ellec"ual le-el o' "&eir leading "&inkers, "&e) remain a minori") !i"&in "&e broader le'". ;&ile "&e) &a-e &ad a posi"i-e e''ec" on "&e $erman le'" in "&e pas", "&is &as been sub6ec" "o cer"ain limi"s. I" is impossible "o be cer"ain i' "&e in'luence o' "&e +n"i*$ermans !ill be las"ing, !ill e,pand 'ur"&er, or i' "&e mo-emen" &as alread) passed i"s 1eni"&. 5o!e-er, "&e 'ac" "&a" i" &as produced a number o' impor"an" in"ellec"uals !&o, "&oug& no longer percei-ing "&emsel-es as +n"i*$ermans, ma) s&ape public discourses in "&e )ears "o come canno" be ignored. Q Q Q

'otes
D#E. 5enr)k ?roder, Der e!ige +n"isemi": Ober Sinn und ?es"Bndigkei" eines bes"Bndigen $e'J&ls =?erlin: ?erliner asc&enbuc& :erlag, 200H>. D$ermanE D2E. Dan Diner, Feindbild +merika: Ober die ?es"Bndigkei" eines Fessen"imen"s =0Jnc&en: %rop)lBen :erlag, 2002>. D$ermanE D3E. +ndrei S. 0arko-i"1, +merika, Dic& &ass" sic&(s besser: +n"iamerikanismus und +n"isemi"ismus in Europa =5amburg: Ionkre", 200G>. D$ermanE DGE. @&ris"ina Spae"i, Die sc&!ei1erisc&e 4inke und Israel: Israelbegeis"erung, +n"i1ionismus und +n"isemi"ismus 1!isc&en #97< und #99# =Essen: Ilar"e," :erlag, 2007>. D$ermanE DHE. S"ep&an $riga", .R?es"ien in 0ensc&enges"al"( +n"isemi"ismus und +n"i1ionismus in der Ss"erreic&isc&en 4inken,/ ;eg und 8iel 2 =#992> D$ermanEA and S"ep&an $riga", .4inks und gegen JudenT +n"isemi"ismus und +n"i1ionismus in der Ss"erreic&isc&en 4inken,/ D+:ID <2 =0arc& 200<>, !!!.da-id.6uden.a"Pkul"ur1ei"sc&ri'"P<0*<HP<2*griga".&"m =-ie!ed las" ## 0a) 2002>. D7E. 0uc& o' "&e 'ollo!ing is based on "&e unpublis&ed paper: %a"rick 5agen, .Die +n"ideu"sc&en und die Deba""e der 4inken Jber Israel,/0agis"erarbei" am Forsc&ungsins"i"u" 'Jr %oli"isc&e ;issensc&a'" und europBisc&e Fragen =Uni-ersi") o' @ologne, 200G>. D$ermanE D<E. Ibid., ##. D2E. !!!.redak"ion*ba&amas.org. D9E. !!!.6ungle*!orld.com. D#0E. !!!.konkre"*-erlage.dePk--Pk--.p&p. D##E. ;&ile Ionkre" !as alread) an old maga1ine and ?a&amas !as 'ounded a'"er reuni'ica"ion, Jungle ;orld 'irs" appeared in #99<, !&en 6ournalis"s a" "&e Junge ;el"*a 'ormer Eas" $erman dail)*opposed "&eir paper(s s"ric" neo*S"alinis" line. &e spli" 'rom "&e an"i* imperialis" Junge ;el" occurred 'or a number o' reasons, among !&ic& !as Junge ;el"(s a""i"ude

"o!ards Israel. &e 6ournalis"s 'ounded a ne! paper, c&oosing a name !&ic& mocked "&a" o' "&eir 'ormer place o' !ork. +l"&oug& Jungle ;orld !ould de'ine i"sel' as a publica"ion "&a" s&o!s solidari") !i"& Israel, i" &as also 'rom "ime "o "ime publis&ed ar"icles o' au"&ors !&ose pro*Israel creden"ials can onl) be "ermed as dubious. Lne e,ample !ould be "&e con"ro-ersial dossier en"i"led .Sc&uld und Erinnerung,/ publis&ed on #3 3o-ember 2002, "&a" sparked a deba"e !i"&in Jungle ;orld and "&e un*dogma"ic le'". Similarl), in some respec"s Ionkre" &as been publis&ing a broad spec"rum o' le'"*!ing opinions ranging 'rom &ard*core +n"i*$erman posi"ions "o more or"&odo, le'"*!ing and an"i*+merican ones. &e posi"ion o' i"s edi"or 5ermann $remli1a "o!ard "&e U.S. is, 'or ins"ance, b) 'ar no" as posi"i-e as &is a""i"ude "o!ards Israel. D#2E. ?en6amin ;ein"&al, .4e""er 'rom ?erlin: &e an"i*an"i*8ionis"s,/ 5aare"1, < +ugus" 200<. D#3E. %a"rick 5agen, .Die +n"ideu"sc&en und die Deba""e der 4inken Jber Israel,/ 0agis"erarbei" am Forsc&ungsins"i"u" 'Jr %oli"isc&e ;issensc&a'" und europBisc&e Fragen =Unpublis&ed paper, Uni-ersi") o' @ologne, 200G>, #2. D$ermanE ransla"ion b) "&e au"&or. D#GE. .Der od is" ein 0eis"er aus Deu"sc&land/*re'rain 'rom "&e poem . odes'uge/ b) %aul @elan, describing "&e 5olocaus". D$ermanE D#HE. %a"rick 5agen, .Die +n"ideu"sc&en und die Deba""e der 4inken Jber Israel,/ 0agis"erarbei" am Forsc&ungsins"i"u" 'Jr %oli"isc&e ;issensc&a'" und europBisc&e Fragen =Unpublis&ed paper, Uni-ersi") o' @ologne, 200G>, 29. D$ermanE D#7E. Ibid., GH. D#<E. Ibid., G7. D#2E. @ompare ?en6amin ;ein"&al, .4e""er 'rom ?erlin: &e an"i*an"i*8ionis"s,/ 5aare"1, < +ugus" 200<. D#9E. %a"rick 5agen, .Die +n"ideu"sc&en und die Deba""e der 4inken Jber Israel,/ G<. D20E. ?en6amin ;ein"&al, .4e""er 'rom ?erlin: &e an"i*an"i*8ionis"s./ D2#E. &omas -on der Ls"en*Sacken, .Iein %la"1 'Jr Juden,/ Ionkre" =December 2002>: 2G. D$ermanE D22E. S"e'an ?erg, .$)si geissel" linken +n"isemi"ismus,/ Der Spiegel Lnline, #H +pril 2002, !!!.spiegel.dePpoli"ikPdeu"sc&landP0,#H#2,HG<H7G,00.&"ml. D$ermanE D23E. Fran1iska Dro&sel, .Juso*@&e'in kri"isier" linken +n"isemi"ismus,/ Die ;el" Lnline, #9 +pril 2002, !!!.!el".dePmeinungPar"icle#9#7072PJuso*@&e'inUkri"isier"UlinkenU+n"isemi"ismus.&"ml. D$ermanE Q Q Q (R) SI*O' +RLA'G+R is a 6ournalis" and &is"orian. 5e !as born in S!i"1erland in #97H and educa"ed in ?asel and Jerusalem. + 'ormer emplo)ee o' "&e 9ad :as&em +rc&i-es in Jerusalem, &e presen"l) "eac&es Je!is& &is"or) a" "&e Uni-ersi") o' 4ucerne. 5e also !orks as an edi"or 'or elebasel, a "ele-ision s"a"ion 'or nor"&!es"ern S!i"1erland. %ublica"ion: Je!is& %oli"ical S"udies Fe-ie! Filed Under: Europe and Israel ags: an"i*Israel and an"i*+merican, $erman na"ionalism in "&e $erman %eace 0o-emen", pro* Israel mo-emen" !i"&in "&e $erman le'", &e V+n"i*$ermanV 0o-emen", "&e $erman le'", -ic"ims o' 3a1i $erman)

A#out (r) Simon +rlanger

Simon Erlanger is a 6ournalis" and &is"orian. 5e !as born in S!i"1erland in #97H and educa"ed in

?asel and Jerusalem. + 'ormer emplo)ee o' "&e 9ad :as&em +rc&i-es in Jerusalem, &e presen"l) "eac&es Je!is& &is"or) a" "&e Uni-ersi") o' 4ucerne. 5e also !orks as an edi"or 'or elebasel, a "ele-ision s"a"ion 'or nor"&!es"ern S!i"1erland. * See more a": &""p:PP6cpa.orgPar"icleP"&e*an"i*germans*"&e*pro*israel*german* le'"PWs"&as&.dG8FJe2H.dpu'