After pro-Palestinian activists pressured Sigmar Gabriel over his criticism of Muslim anti-Semitism, the German foreign minister invoked his previous innuendo regarding the Jewish state’s non-existent “apartheid.”
Following recent anti-Israel demonstrations throughout Europe on the heels of the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Arab and Muslim activists claimed that Germany was spending too much time worrying about anti-Semitism. Instead, these activists argue, the German government should focus on the Palestinian “plight.”
In response, reported Israel Hayom, German foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel announced, “This is not true, the German government immediately criticized Trump’s decision and reserves the right to express criticism of the Israeli government’s policy.” Gabriel specifically referred to a scene he claimed to have witnessed during a visit to Hebron in 2012, which he said was reminiscent of “apartheid.”
Such allusions to apartheid remain popular in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, whose goal is to delegitimize the Jewish state and ultimately bring its demise. Comparisons between the modern State of Israel, a robust representative democracy in which Arab citizens have full rights and hold a significant number of seats in the Israeli parliament, and apartheid-era South Africa, where vicious systemic racism oppressed large portions of the population, do not hold up under the weight of even mild scrutiny.
Gabriel’s dalliances with critics of Israel are no secret. In April, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled a meeting with the foreign minister after he insisted on meeting with the Breaking the Silence organization, which has been slammed for its attacks on the IDF’s practices based on unsubstantiated evidence. That said, Gabriel recently advocated a new law prohibiting the burning of national flags in Germany, including the Israeli flag, which has been torched as of late to protest Trump’s Jerusalem announcement.
While Gabriel’s estranged father was an unrepentant Nazi and Holocaust denier, Gabriel ended all contact with him and in fact served as a guide at Auschwitz.
By: Ezra Stone, United with Israel
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!