November 9th is associated with significant historical events for Germans: the fall of the Berlin Wall, the failed Hitler Putsch – and above all, the Kristallnacht pogrom of 1938. However, the debates surrounding this day are dominated not by an event, but by a phrase: "Never again." For many, this "Never again" has degenerated into a platitude, a hiding place to remain above suspicion for the rest of the year.
When I hear "Never again," I think of Jewish people who are marginalized. Not in 1938, but now. The conductor Lahav Shani and the Munich Philharmonic are disinvited from a festival. The student Lahav Shapira is brutally beaten. A shop in Flensburg bans Jews from its premises. "Nothing personal."
When I hear "Never again," I think of Jewish people whose lives are in danger. Not in 1938, but now. The arson attack on the synagogue on Brunnenstrasse in Berlin. The attempted murder of the synagogue in Halle. The planned attack by Hamas terrorists on Jewish institutions in Berlin. When I hear "Never again," I think of all the people who walk the streets of Berlin with hatred in their hearts and on their lips. Not in 1938, but now.
These people have the audacity to shout "Never again." They are not condemning the attacks on Jews. Their goal is to demonize Israel's actions. "Never again," directed against the only Jewish state. A perversion of history.
Anyone who contributes to this development by saying "Never again" and failing to take any action, anyone who remains silent about the developments since October 7th, the explosive rise in antisemitism, is in truth adding their voice to the chorus of those who want to banish Jewish life from Germany.
This canon has swelled into a shrill cacophony. Its hatred is presented in the guise of so-called criticism of Israel, and its many faces are openly displayed. Once again, antisemitism proves its pernicious function as a bridging ideology. What else in the world could possibly unite Ferat Cocak, Jürgen Elsässer, and Greta Thunberg?
The seeping poison of antisemitism is increasingly eroding the defenses of our open society. We are no longer able to adequately assess the threats to our way of life: While fifty women spontaneously write an open letter to the Chancellor in outrage, a female academic at the University of Halle speaks about the "still unproven" rapes of Israeli women. The outcry is slow in coming.
Being able to criticize the Chancellor is fundamental to our democracy. Continue doing so if you deem it necessary – but don't call your actions feminist if you are unable to refute anti-Enlightenment conspiracy theories about the well-documented atrocities committed by Hamas , solely because these crimes were perpetrated against Jewish women.
You can criticize the Chancellor for the "cityscape" if you so desire. But don't dedicate your actions to the "fight for tolerance" if you have nothing to say about the almost daily attacks on Jewish life in those same cities.
I have repeatedly criticized the actions of the Israeli government. I will not tire of doing so – but I am tired of regularly hearing, in response to posts like this one, that one "cannot criticize Israel without being labeled an antisemite." Anyone who believes this will be surprised to learn that for years, hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Israel every week, demanding the return of the hostages since October 7th – with explicit criticism of the government. Israel, a state of antisemites?
This is precisely the crux of the problem that catches up with us every November 9th – and each time with increasing urgency. The German cry of "Never again" is based on a false understanding. For Germans, it means never again incurring guilt. For us Jews, however, "Never again" means: never again being a victim. Never again being defenseless when foreign powers attempt to determine our fate.
This editorial was originally published in German in Frankfurter Allgemeine.
