Charges Filed Against Merz: Hallervorden Leads Criticism Over Israel Remarks
Dieter Hallervorden files a grievance against Merz
There's some heat brewing in the German political scene as Dieter "Didi" Hallervorden spearheads a group of critics, including about 20 other politicians, cultural figures, and artists, in filing a criminal complaint against Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The fuss stems from Merz's choice of words during a ZDF interview about Israel's conflict with Iran.
Merz's comment, "That is the dirty work that Israel is doing for us all," sparked cross-party criticism after it was deemed offensive and insensitive. Hallervorden, a noted cabaret artist with a background in film and TV, expressed his outrage on Instagram, writing, "Anyone who needs to be in court, had better be there right now!"
The complaint, targeted at the Federal Prosecutor General and the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Berlin, alleges that Merz's remark constitutes a violation of German law under § 80a of the German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch). The complaint claims that Merz's words have a profound impact on the German public and populations in Middle Eastern conflict zones, warranting legal consequences due to the incitement to wage a war of aggression with propagandistic intent aimed at the audience's feelings.
Moreover, the complaint invokes historical sensitivity by referencing the Nazi-era use of the term "dirty work" in connection with mass murders, implying that Merz's language shares similar connotations, thus aggravating the seriousness of the accusation[1][3].
While the complaint raises strong historical and political sensitivities, it does not explicitly state that Merz's remarks constitute a violation of the German Basic Law itself. Instead, the focus is on the criminal charge under the Strafgesetzbuch, specifically the offense of incitement (§ 80a). The complaint aims to hold Merz accountable under criminal statutes, not directly on constitutional grounds[1][3].
Hallervorden made headlines earlier in April 2024 with a controversial video about Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The video, which he posted on Instagram and Facebook, featured a poem addressing apartheid and genocide in connection with Israel's policies. Following criticism from the Central Council of Jews, Hallervorden defended his video and asserted his right to freedom of expression[2].
In recent years, Hallervorden ignited further controversy when he used the "N-word" in a new version of his famous sketch "Palim, Palim!" during an ARD jubilee show in April. He later denied the accusations of racism[2].
Source: ntv.de, gut/dpa
- Friedrich Merz
- Israel
- Israel War
- Iran
- Iran Conflict
- Racism
- Gaza
[1] German law (§ 80a, Strafgesetzbuch)[2] "Dieter Hallervorden implications of ‘N-word’ during show" (April 2024)[3] "Charges of incitement against Merz" (April 2024)
The Commission, in light of the ongoing political turmoil in Germany, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in the context of the heated debate surrounding Friedrich Merz's remarks about Israel's role in global conflicts.
This request for a policy-and-legislation proposal, driven by the cross-party criticism and historical sensitivities arising from Merz's remarks, falls under the category of general news, as it highlights the intersection of politics, international relations, and worker safety.
