Middle East conflict - Criticized for German attitude: Goethe-Institut
The globally active Goethe-Institut has come under international criticism for Germany's stance on the Middle East conflict. "The Goethe-Institut is performing a difficult balancing act here, always trying to keep spaces for discussion open," said Carola Lentz, president of Germany's cultural flagship, in Berlin on Wednesday.
"I think that is the great challenge at the moment, not to narrow these spaces either in Germany or in the world," said Lentz. "We have to see in the Middle East and in Israel how we can work together in the future, and with which partners, to achieve peace, human rights and peaceful, shared exchange through cultural means."
Lentz referred to the statement by the Goethe-Institut, which on the one hand clearly condemned the Hamas terror attack, but on the other also expressed empathy "with victims in the civilian population in general, including of course the Palestinian civilian population". In view of the Israeli victims, as well as many partner organizations in the Arab world, this is perceived as too strong a one-sided position.
Secretary General Johannes Ebert added: "We are observing all over the world that the Hamas terrorists have achieved their goal of creating division." In the view of many partner organizations, the response to the bombing of Gaza was too weak. "It is a dangerous situation that we have to deal with, enter into dialog and explain," says Ebert. There are already individual partners who are currently taking a very wait-and-see approach and are not cooperating. "These are reactions that could result from such a split."
The Goethe-Institut, which currently has 158 institutes in 98 countries, is sticking to its planned restructuring in view of the financial situation. Over the next three years, up to 24 million euros will be converted from structural costs into project funds. Commercial Director Rainer Pollack wants to reduce structural costs from the current 62 to 58 percent of the total budget. In the coming year, he expects a budget of a good 432 million euros, 232 of which will come from federal funds.
In September, the Goethe-Institut announced drastic cuts. Of the 158 institutes, the locations in Bordeaux, Curitiba (Brazil), Genoa, Lille, Osaka, Rotterdam, Trieste, Turin and Washington are to be closed. The liaison office in Strasbourg will also be closed. Other locations are also to be downsized, changed or merged. The job cuts in the international network will affect 130 employees.
Statement Middle East
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- Despite the international criticism, the Goethe-Institut, with its 158 institutes in 98 countries, still plans to restructure its financial situation over the next three years.
- The Middle East conflict has put the Goethe-Institut in a difficult position, as its stance on the issue has been criticized both internationally and by its partner organizations in the Middle East.
- Carola Lentz, the president of the Goethe-Institut, expressed support for a peaceful resolution of the Middle East conflict and working towards peace and human rights in the Middle East, including Israel.
- The Goethe-Institut has faced criticism for its response to the Hamas terror attack, with many partner organizations perceiving its stance as too one-sided.
- In response to the criticism, Johannes Ebert, the Secretary General of the Goethe-Institut, emphasized the need for dialogue and understanding in the Middle East, and the importance of working with partners to achieve peaceful coexistence through cultural means.
Source: www.stern.de
