Several German government aid workers are being investigated for spreading anti-Semitism and anti-Israel propaganda on social media.
By: AP and United with Israel Staff
A German aid organization says it is investigating alleged anti-Semitic comments posted on social media by some of its staff.
The German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), whose main client is the German government, says it was alerted to the posts by reports in Israeli media.
The posts by staff working in Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories, included one featuring the Israel flag with a Nazi swastika beneath the words: “I hate Israel.”
These statements include comparisons between Israel and the Nazis, blaming the downfall of Arab leaders in the Middle East on a “Hebrew spring” and depicting Israel as a two-headed monster.
GIZ members also posted messages to Facebook that justify Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and endorse the anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement.
Some of the anti-Semitic content was promoted by GIZ officials responsible for directing German funding to Palestinian NGOs, as well as by other colleagues at the agency.
Among these Palestinian groups receiving the German tax dollars are those that have glorified violence and terrorism against Israelis. According to its website, “GIZ currently employs a staff of 145 in the Palestinian Territories.”
“These revelations highlight how radical activists can promote extreme agendas under the guise of human rights and development work,” stated NGO Monitor Europe Desk Director Olga Deutsch.
NGO Monitor, an independent research group, monitors non-governmental organizations claiming to fight for human rights but which, in fact, carry out an anti-Israel agenda, exposed the posts.
“This should serve as a wakeup call for GIZ and other government agencies in Europe as to the urgency of addressing this dangerous and unacceptable anti-Semitic discourse at the highest levels of government,” she added.
GIZ said it “does not tolerate anti-Semitic statements.” It added that staff members are required to sign a code of conduct that applies to statements made privately, too.
In a statement Thursday, the organization said it’s “currently investigating each individual case and considering disciplinary actions.”
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