The publicist Michel Friedman has called for more dissent following statements critical of Israel during the Berlinale Gala. Since the terrorist attack by Hamas and the Israeli reactions, "another dramatic, anti-Semitic wave is rolling through Germany", wrote the former Vice President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany in an article for the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". "An excessive hatred of Jews (to be clear: Jewish people are mostly not Israeli citizens, but Germans), violence is spreading."
Friedman: "Anti-Semitic tendencies increasingly radical"
The Middle East conflict was addressed several times during the gala on Saturday. Numerous jury members and award winners called for a ceasefire in the Gaza war, either verbally or with badges. Statements also spoke of apartheid in connection with the situation in the territories occupied by Israel and of genocide with regard to the army's actions in Gaza.
"Aggression against the state of Israel has been gaining ground in the cultural scene for a long time, and anti-Semitic tendencies are becoming increasingly radical," wrote Friedman. At the same time, he stated: "Harsh, entirely justified criticism of the Israeli government is a matter of course and not hatred of Jews." When artists express themselves politically, they are protected by freedom of expression, not by freedom of art, which applies to works of art. However, the decisive factor is that human dignity is inviolable. "This also applies to Jewish people", said Friedman.
