Interior Minister Reul accuses AfD of open anti-Semitism

NRW state parliament - Interior Minister Reul accuses AfD of open anti-Semitism

North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) has used an AfD motion on increasing anti-Semitism for a sharp reckoning with the right-wing populist party. In a heated debate in the state parliament on Thursday, the minister accused the AfD of blatant anti-Semitism and mendacity. "I know no mercy on this subject. That means zero tolerance. And it doesn't matter from whom," shouted the visibly angry minister. Reul was repeatedly interrupted by shouts from the AfD. "It really gets on my nerves how dishonest people are acting here. It's almost unbearable," shouted Reul in the direction of the AfD.

The occasion was a current affairs debate at the request of the AfD on the sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents in NRW since the terrorist attack on Israel by the Islamist Hamas on October 7. AfD MP Markus Wagner accused politicians of a "blind and ideology-driven denial of reality" when it comes to anti-Semitism. In addition to "local anti-Semitism", "additional anti-Semitism through uncontrolled migration" was being allowed into the country "without need". The government had "deliberately and willfully mismanaged" the statistics on anti-Semitic crimes for years, Wagner claimed. Everything was "booked to the right-wing account", even if it wasn't true.

Reul countered: "I find it outrageous that you would make such a claim," he shouted. "Anyone who has people in their own ranks who propagate anti-Semitism on a daily basis should keep quiet here. They have absolutely no reason to shout in here." The AfD is submitting a motion to deplore anti-Semitism and at the same time has state chairmen in its own ranks "who spout the harshest anti-Semitic slogans".

Green parliamentary group leader Wibke Brems said: "Using a current affairs debate on anti-Semitism to stir up hatred against Muslims is simply transparent and inhumane." Anti-Semitic resentment and hostility come from all social milieus - from right-wing extremism as well as from left-wing and migrant milieus. According to police crime statistics, however, most anti-Semitic crimes have a right-wing extremist motive.

According to the state's anti-Semitism commissioner, Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, more than 380 anti-Semitic incidents were registered in NRW between the Hamas massacre and the first week of November alone. More are being added every day, she said. The incidents ranged from tearing up the Israeli flag, damage to property and marking houses with the Star of David to violent crimes. By comparison, there were around 100 anti-Semitic incidents in NRW in the first half of 2023.

Reul said that the state would do everything in its power to combat incitement against Jews or questioning Israel's right to exist at demonstrations. More than 600 criminal charges had already been filed in this context.

According to the Green politician Brems, Muslims are also being attacked much more frequently than before. This is "clearly also due to right-wing extremist incitement, which has also been promoted here today by the parliamentary group making the motion", she said. "Anti-Semitism cannot be combated with Islamophobia and racism. They can only be fought together."

SPD MP Elisabeth Müller-Witt pointed out that anti-Semitic incidents mainly occurred in "everyday places such as neighborhoods, schools, workplaces and universities". The result is that Jews no longer feel safe in public spaces. "A situation that should make us ashamed."

FDP MP Dirk Wedel called it "disconcerting that the AfD, of all parties, is presenting itself as a champion against anti-Semitism". Instead, the party is misusing its commitment to Jewish life in Germany to take an anti-migration stance. The AfD in particular struggles to come to terms with the Holocaust, said Wedel. He recalled the AfD politician Alexander Gauland, who had relativized National Socialism in Germany with the murder of six million Jews as a "bird's-eye view" of history.

In view of the increasing hostility towards Jews, the NRW state government announced at the beginning of November that it would step up the fight against anti-Semitism and the protection of Jewish institutions. For example, the state is increasing funding for security measures at synagogues and other Jewish institutions by an additional 11.5 million euros. Minister-President Hendrik Wüst (CDU) said that those who bring hatred of Israel or Jews into society will feel the full force of the rule of law.

Agenda for Thursday's plenary session