Conflicts - Criticism of peace demo: Central Council Vice President Lehrer cancels
The Vice President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Abraham Lehrer, has criticized a peace rally planned for Sunday in Cologne by the artists' initiative "Arsch huh". Lehrer, who is also a board member of the Cologne synagogue community, canceled his participation in the rally on Thursday. The call for the event was "problematic", he wrote to the organizers on Thursday. The terrorist organization Hamas and the Israeli army were placed on the same level in the text. He would not support this. The "Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger" had previously reported (Friday).
According to the invitation, FDP politician Gerhard Baum, cabaret artist Jürgen Becker, the Cologne rock band Brings, the chairman of the Central Council of Muslims, Aiman Mazyek, and the "Arsch Huh" band are to take part in the peace rally "with music and speeches" on Sunday afternoon.
"Arsch huh, Zäng ussenander" (loosely translated: "Stand up and open your mouth") sees itself as one of the most influential artists' and musicians' initiatives against racism and neo-Nazis. Well-known members include Wolfgang Niedecken (BAP) and the Bläck Fööss. In 1992, the initiative mobilized around 100,000 people for a demonstration against the right.
The appeal, which was criticized by Lehrer, stated, among other things: "We mourn for the Israeli victims just as much as for the Palestinian victims and would like to send a signal of solidarity with both peoples with our rally. Neither war can provide security nor terror for liberation." What is needed is a peace solution based on the right of both nations to exist.
Lehrer accused the organizers of denying Israel's right to self-defense. "Israel is fighting against a terrorist organization and until it is destroyed, there will be no peace in the Middle East," he wrote to justify his refusal. After the massacre on October 7, 2023, now is the time for clear solidarity with Israel.
Demonstration call "Arschhuh" Details of the event
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- Despite the criticism from Abraham Lehrer, the Vice President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, the peace rally organized by the artists' initiative "Arsch huh" is still set to take place in Cologne on Sunday.
- Lehrer, a board member of the Cologne synagogue community and a teacher, expressed concern over the text's placement of Hamas and the Israeli army on the same level and rejected this idea.
- The "Arsch huh, Zäng ussenander" initiative, known for its stands against racism and neo-Nazis, has garnered support from well-known artists such as Wolfgang Niedecken and the Bläck Fööss in the past.
- In a letter to the organizers, Lehrer explained that he could not support the rally due to its denial of Israel's right to self-defense against terrorist organizations, such as Hamas.
- According to reports, the Central Council of Muslims, Aiman Mazyek, German politician Gerhard Baum, cabaret artist Jürgen Becker, the Cologne rock band Brings, and the "Arsch Huh" band are scheduled to participate in the peace rally with music and speeches.
- The call for the peace rally emphasized the mourning for victims on both sides of the conflict in the Palestinian territories and Israel and called for a peaceful solution based on the right to exist for both nations.
- In response to the massacre on October 7, 2023, Lehrer believed that it was essential to show clear solidarity with Israel during this critical time.
- The peace rally, initially scheduled for this Sunday in North Rhine-Westphalia, has attracted strong reactions, culminating in Lehrer's decision to withdraw from the event, citing concerns about the Israel-Palestinian question.
Source: www.stern.de
