Overview
- Former president Joachim Gauck told Tagesspiegel that antisemitism from parts of the Arab world and the political left has been neglected and must be addressed decisively.
- He said Israel’s defense after the 7 October Hamas attacks was justified but argued the conduct of the Gaza war exceeds what he can accept.
- Gauck cautioned against labeling the Gaza campaign as genocide, while urging that potential war crimes and disproportionate force be named and criticized.
- He opposed excluding Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest and rejected academic or cultural boycotts of Israeli scientists and artists.
- Senior figures responded publicly, with Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Central Council head Josef Schuster backing a broader focus, as Left Party leader Jan van Aken argued antisemitism is chiefly rooted in the majority society.