As Christians Standing with Israel (CSI), we welcome the resolution passed by the German Bundestag today, entitled "Never Again Is Now: Protecting, Preserving, and Strengthening Jewish Life in Germany." CSI expresses its gratitude to the participating parties and politicians.
The declaration outlines the challenges facing the Jewish community in Germany and the state since October 7, 2023. The demands and considerations for effectively combating antisemitism are common sense and only encounter opposition where there is a fear of being exposed and having one's toes stepped on.
As CSI, we reaffirm the key statements of the document: Yes to the use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, yes to the defense of academic freedom and the rights of Jews at German universities, yes to the condemnation of the anti-Israel boycott organization BDS, and yes to the banning of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and its allies. In the struggle for a free and democratic society in which Jews continue to have a place and a voice, this resolution is an important milestone.
BSW votes against, The Left abstains
The resolution was passed with the votes of the CDU/CSU, SPD, Greens, FDP, and AfD. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) voted against it, and The Left abstained. The declaration states that the rise in antisemitic attitudes and actions is deeply worrying. "The fight against antisemitism is a task for society as a whole. It cannot be solely the responsibility of the state or even of Jews living in Germany. In particular, political parties and civil society organizations must make it clear that there is no place for antisemitic views within their ranks." Among other things, the federal, state, and local governments are called upon to ensure "that no projects or initiatives with antisemitic aims and content are funded.".
The parliamentary groups also condemn the Hamas terrorist attack of October 7, 2023. In this context, they state: "Israel has the right, enshrined in international law, to defend itself against attacks that violate international law, and thus the recognized duty to protect its citizens from terrorism while upholding its obligations under international law."
The resolution is not legally binding, but it has symbolic significance. (CSI Editorial Team)
