Germany's anti-Deutsch used to be 'fringe weirdos'. Now their pro-Israel ideology has gone mainstream.
  • rcbrk@lemmy.ml
    0·
    11 months ago

    Machine-generated summary courtesy of Kagi’s summarizer (filling in for TL;DRbot):

    Summary: The “anti-Germans” are a left-wing political movement in Germany that strongly supports Israel and criticizes any expression of solidarity with Palestine as anti-Semitic. While they began as a fringe group opposing German nationalism, they have now achieved mainstream success in promoting pro-Israel stances. They focus heavily on depicting Muslims and pro-Palestine activists as Nazis. Over time, the movement has moved away from leftist politics and toward anti-Muslim rhetoric and support for right-wing positions. Many of its stances have now been adopted more broadly in German policy and discourse. Although the group itself may be less influential, its radical anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim views have permeated German political life. Some former members have even gone on to respectable careers after pushing such views. In this way, the “anti-Germans” have had a significant impact on shaping Germany’s approach to Israel and Palestine issues.

    Dot points:

    • At a pro-Israel demonstration in Leipzig, Germany, flags of Israel and the antifa movement were flown together, showing the unusual alliance between pro-Israel and far-left groups in Germany.
    • The anti-Deutsch movement started as a radical left opposition to German nationalism but is now defined by its hardline support for Israel and criticism of any expression of solidarity with Palestine.
    • Support for Israel has become increasingly mainstream in German politics, while support for Palestine has been marginalized. The anti-Deutsch movement has found new relevance as a result.
    • The anti-Deutsch movement emerged in reaction to fears that German reunification could lead to a resurgence of German nationalism and Nazism. They blamed inherent flaws in German culture and identity for the Holocaust.
    • The movement’s focus has shifted from criticizing capitalism to attacking Muslims and those expressing solidarity with Palestine as antisemites.
    • The anti-Deutsch movement takes an extreme stance, believing that any means are justified to secure Israel’s existence as protection against antisemitism.
    • There have been attacks on pro-Palestine groups in Germany by those claiming to oppose antisemitism, showing the radicalization of some in the anti-Deutsch movement.
    • The anti-Deutsch movement’s extreme anti-Muslim positions have aligned with conservative parties’ rhetoric on issues like immigration.
    • While the anti-Deutsch movement’s influence as a leftist group has waned, its anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim politics have become mainstream in German discourse.
    • Some former members of the anti-Deutsch movement have gone on to respectable careers in media and politics, showing how their views have diffused into the establishment.