Anti-Semitism: Protection of Jews as a state goal? Different reactions

The initiative of the Bavarian anti-Semitism commissioner Ludwig Spaenle (CSU) to anchor the fight against anti-Semitism and the protection of Jewish life as a state goal in the Basic Law and in the state constitutions has caused mixed reactions in politics.

SPD and Greens point to the necessary two-thirds majority

Dirk Wiese, deputy leader of the SPD parliamentary group, stressed that protecting Jewish life is a shared responsibility that must be met with determination. However, he criticized the fact that talks on constitutional changes have so far failed because the CDU/CSU rejects such an adjustment.

The Green Party’s parliamentary group leaders in the Bundestag, Britta Haßelmann and Katharina Dröge, expressed their concern about the ongoing threat of anti-Semitism. They signaled a fundamental interest in a constitutional amendment, but regretted the lack of support: the votes of the opposition are also required for the necessary two-thirds majority in the Bundestag.

Scepticism among CDU, CSU – and Left

Friedrich Merz, chairman of the strongest opposition faction (CDU/CSU) in the Bundestag, is skeptical about changing the Basic Law. He stressed that the existing constitution already offers sufficient protection and that an additional clause would not bring any significant improvements.

Alexander Dobrindt, chairman of the CSU regional group in the Bundestag, also expressed concerns about the effectiveness of such a change. Although he supported the fight against anti-Semitism, he questioned whether a constitutional amendment would actually lead to more protection in practice.

The Left Party in the Bundestag took the view that the Basic Law already offers comprehensive protection against discrimination, including anti-Semitism. A specific emphasis in the Basic Law could give the impression that other forms of discrimination are taken less seriously.

President of the State Parliament supports Spaenle’s proposal

Ilse Aigner, President of the Bavarian State Parliament, praised Spaenle’s commitment and described anti-Semitism as one of the greatest challenges of our time. She welcomed the idea of ​​amending the Basic Law and promised to bring the proposal into further political discussion.

Letters to politicians from various Bundestag factions

In May, Ludwig Spaenle proposed anchoring the fight against anti-Semitism and the protection of Jewish life as a state goal in the Basic Law and the constitutions of all federal states.

In his letter, which was addressed to leading politicians from various parliamentary groups, he referred to positive experiences in federal states such as Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg and Saxony-Anhalt, which have already made corresponding constitutional changes. Spaenle suggested that Bavaria and other federal states should follow this example.