Peace Rally Regrets Abraham Lehrer's Absence Due to Controversial Invitation
Organizers of this weekend's peace rally in Cologne, Germany, expressed regret over the cancellation of Abraham Lehrer, Vice President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and a board member of the Cologne synagogue community. Lehrer pulled out on Thursday due to concerns over the artists' initiative "Arsch huh" placing Hamas and the Israeli army on an equal footing.
In response, "Arsch huh" defended their stance, citing their commitment to "Israel's right to exist and its security" as a permanent obligation, and their efforts to forge an alliance against racism and anti-Semitism. The organizers also maintained the planned appearance of Aiman Mazyek, the Chairman of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany, at the event.
Mazyek linked his pledge to peace in the Middle East and a rejection of hatred and war, emphasizing the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to exist and an immediate end to the conflict. He urged Muslims to join the rally peacefully on Sunday without propaganda or flags.
Besides Mazyek, the peace rally in Cologne will feature FDP politician Gerhard Baum, cabaret artists Jürgen Becker and Wilfried Schmickler, and the Cologne rock band Brings. They will participate with music and speeches, according to the invitation (stern.de, 2023).
While Lehrer's absence created a stir, the peace rally remains committed to promoting unity and peace among religious communities, tackling racism and anti-Semitism in Germany.
Additional Insights
"Arsch huh e.V." is a prominent organization in Cologne dedicated to combating racism, neo-Nazism, and exclusion. It celebrated its 30-year anniversary in 2022, featuring a large event in the LANXESS Arena and releasing a commemorative album.
