Overview
- In a Tagesspiegel interview published November 8, former German president Joachim Gauck said antisemitism from the Arab world and the political left has been neglected in Germany.
- He urged greater civic vigilance, arguing Germany has well‑practiced defenses against the far right but needs more determination to protect human dignity across the board.
- Gauck criticized Israel’s military conduct in Gaza as exceeding what he can accept and said he is relieved not to visit Israel given the right‑wing parties supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- He warned against using the term genocide for the Gaza war, calling it a highly specific label, while saying potential war crimes and disproportionate force must still be condemned.
- He rejected calls to exclude Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest and to boycott Israeli scientists and artists, noting many of those targeted oppose Netanyahu’s policies.