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Anne Frank, Sophie Scholl or the Judenstern: Again and again there are references to victims of the Nazi era of the “lateral thinking” movement. The federal government’s antisemitism commissioner is stunned.
The Federal Government Commissioner for Anti-Semitism, Felix Klein, has used the events of the past few days as an opportunity to meet in Berlin for a speech. Titled “Radicalization and Normalization: The Risk of Anti-Semitism and the Crown Denial Scene Is Rising,” he invited Anetta Kahane of the Amadeu Antonio Foundation and SPD Vice President Kevin Kühnert to a meeting that morning.
The references to the victims of the time of National Socialism were preceded by various manifestations of “lateral thinking.” For example, a yellow Star of David with the inscription “not vaccinated”, instead of “Jewish”, as in concentration camps and ghettos. Or comparisons like that of a speaker at a “lateral thinking” rally in Hanover with resistance fighter Sophie Scholl, who was executed by the Nazis:
“I feel like Sophie Scholl because I have been active in the resistance for months.”
Klein: “Perfidious strategy or lack of empathy and education”
The Federal Government’s antisemitism commissioner was stunned. “Such trivializations of National Socialism and its real victims not only erode our hard-earned culture of remembrance and ridicule the real victims. Or they bear witness to a conscious and perfidious strategy or a lack of empathy and education on many levels.”
Klein watches with concern who is gathering at the crown rallies. Esotericists, peace activists, so-called Reich citizens and right-wing extremists. Anti-Semitism connects them: the center with the social margins. According to Klein, that’s what makes it so dangerous. Words quickly followed deeds, as in Hanau, Halle, and Dresden.
Kahane: “Something is brewing”
Kahane, president of the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, is also concerned. “We are seeing an escalation, a consolidation and a threat from the crown protests.” He says that something is brewing that he had not seen before. Anti-Semitism is being expressed more and more openly. The mood becomes more aggressive. “Conspiracy ideologies always have an anti-Semitic operating system. Because anti-Semitism is the oldest conspiracy theory of all. It claims that Jews have some bad intentions and are always behind everything bad and bad in the world.”
Kahane asks crown protesters to take a closer look at who they take on the street. “If you want to protest against the way politics organizes it, do it. But not with the Nazis.”
Kühnert: “In search of support in conspiracy narratives”
Kevin Kühnert sat next to Kahane. The deputy head of the SPD has long been active against racism and anti-Semitism. He explains the protests against Corona’s policy as follows: “Emergency situations are times when people are unstable. We lack explanations for connections that are new and confuse our usual lives. Many people find support in such situations in conspiracy narratives “.
Kühnert spoke out in favor of educating more and strengthening political education. In his opinion, teachers, for example, should be better prepared to deal with anti-Semitic statements.
Protection against crown and false beliefs
Anti-Semitism Commissioner Klein sees the fight against conspiracy myths and hatred of Jews as everyone’s job. “In the pandemic, everyone is being asked to take responsibility for protecting others, both from the coronavirus and from false and contagious beliefs.” For Klein, however, the great criticism of the comparison with Sophie Scholl shows that most people’s inner compass works.
Not only the anti-Semitism officer, the vice president of the SPD and the president of the foundation are concerned about how the “lateral thinking” movement is radicalizing. The protection of the constitution is also watching developments.
Bavarian Prime Minister Söder has spoken out in favor of taking a closer look at the scene. In addition, the head of the CSU wants to clarify what connections there are between the “lateral thinkers” and the AfD.
With information from Björn Dake, ARD capital studio
