Landtag CDU versus BSW: A Dichotomy over the Gaza Conflict
CDU alleges BSW of reversing the victim-aggressor dynamics in relation to the Gaza conflict - CDU asserts that BSW has transformed the perpetrator into a victim in the context of the Gaza war.
Thuringia's CDU leader, Andreas Bühl, has thrown a jab at the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) for perceived victim-blaming in the ongoing debate concerning the Gaza war. Bühl alleges that the BSW's criticism is, in fact, a "victim-perpetrator reversal." He asserted this in the Thuringian state parliament in Erfurt, stating that while constructive criticism of Israel is legitimate, it should not lead to Israel's condemnation in entirety. Bühl stressed that condemning Israel could potentially pave the way for anti-Semitism.
The BSW, on the other hand, has vocally criticized German arms shipments to Israel and accused Israel of systematic destruction. Sven Küntzel, the BSW's interior policy spokesman, expressed his view that those who furnish weapons hold responsibility for their utilization. Küntzel also pointed out that self-defense should not turn into a license for expulsion. Küntzel deplored the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, stating it to be a catastrophe of historic proportions. The BSW has condemned the Hamas terror since October 7, 2023. However, Küntzel cautioned that this terror does not justify the systematic demolition of a living space and its inhabitants in the Gaza Strip.
Coalition partners in Thuringia, CDU, BSW, and SPD, the trio form the only remaining "Black-Red-Green" coalition in Germany. Bühl clarified that the CDU holds fundamentally different views from the BSW on foreign policy.
The conflict ignited with Hamas and other Islamic terrorists launching attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and over 250 hostages being taken to Gaza. Since then, Israel has been engaged in combat against Hamas in the severely damaged coastal region. As per reports from the Hamas-run health authority, a substantial number of Palestinians have perished in the Gaza Strip since then.
When it comes to foreign policy, CDU, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, boasts strong support for Israel, emphasizing Israel's right to self-defense against Hamas and threats from Iran. However, the BSW adopts a pro-Palestinian stance, emphasizing human rights and opposing Israel’s military aggression. They criticize the German government's backing of Israel’s military campaigns and support pro-Palestinian movements.
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, considering the potential impact of war-and-conflicts, particularly those in regions such as the Gaza Strip, on ecosystems and biodiversity. This advocacy aligns with the broader policy-and-legislation and politics debates involving general news, where the rights of nations and their environmental responsibilities are frequently discussed.
