Scorching Debates Sparked Over Symbol: Greens Caught in Middle East Quagmire
- by Daisy Beaker
- and Sammy Gold
- 4 Mins
Middle Eastern Dilemma for The Greens: Compassion for Gaza Under Scrutiny - Middle Eastern Greens Grapple with Complex Predicament
One small cloth item has ignited a firestorm of debate: the Palestinian keffiyeh. Green member of the Bundestag, Marlene Schoenberger, declared on Instagram that the keffiyeh is "unseparable" from the history of anti-Semitic terror. This statement stirred up a maelstrom of anger, with comments like "Never again Greens" being a common refrain among users.
Many users, judging by their names, seemingly have a migration background. Schoenberger's faction colleague Kassem Taher Saleh, a Green politician who came to Saxony from Iraq at the age of ten, advocates differently. He views the keffiyeh as a symbol of Palestinian culture and resistance against injustice.
This dichotomy has left the Greens in a predicament. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict isn't just about the keffiyeh for the party; it's about finding the right standpoint.
Election Blows: Lost Voters and Ambush Anger
Leading Green figures have drawn conclusions from the Bundestag election. Following a significant loss of around 700,000 votes to the Left Party, which became the strongest force among Muslim voters, the Greens acknowledge that their stance on the Middle East conflict might have caused more harm than good.
Those deeply moved by the suffering and death in Gaza did not find their voices within the Greens. Campaigners faced disappointment and even anger. One Green reported that the topic received explosive reactions from potential voters whose support they hoped to gain.
On Sunday, the Greens will hold a private party conference to discuss their controversial stance. However, the issue is far from resolved. The question on the table is: "How do we share our views on polarizing topics, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?"
Political Minefield: Blame the Tightrope
Green party chairwoman Franziska Brantner acknowledges the balancing act required to navigate such discussions. The conflict causes "indescribable sufferings" among civilian populations, yet debates on the topic are "becoming increasingly irreconcilable." She seeks an empathetic exchange, as the issue has immense societal divisive power.
On the other hand, Jakob Blasel, chairman of the Green youth organization, argues that the debate has been long overdue. The Greens' cautious approach has been motivated by "fear of getting burned" according to Blasel. While the party's participation in the federal government has made it challenging to communicate a clear stance on Gaza, Blasel insists that they should have spoken up during the election.
Blasel urges that a clear solidarity with Israel, which is non-negotiable, should not blind the Greens to the human rights violations of the Israeli army and the suffering of the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza.
False Friends in the Foreign Office
The Green Party's quagmire is best demonstrated by the actions of Annalena Baerbock, Green foreign minister, who since October 7 has been trying to mediate through intense shuttle diplomacy. She has intervened multiple times, calling for restraint and organizing humanitarian aid for Gaza. At the same time, she strives to maintain Israel's neutrality, seeking to prevent it from further isolation.
"We Walker the tightrope," says a member of parliament. The problem is that both in Israel and the Arab states, as well as in Germany's pro-Palestinian community, Baerbock is seen as too understanding of the supposedly wrong side.
Taher Saleh expects more courage from the Greens to criticize the actions of Netanyahu in Gaza. However, criticism might embolden those who wish to eliminate Israel completely.
Arms Supply: Balancing Act with a Blade
Arms deliveries to Israel are another contentious issue, with the Green Youth demanding that no more weapons be supplied that could be used against civilians. Yet the party's internal working group on peace and international affairs (BAG) argues for defending Israel's right to self-defense while still condemning human rights violations.
Volker Beck, an experienced Green politician and president of the German-Israeli Society, is firmly against denying Israel military aid, stating that Israel has faced attacks since 1948. However, the BAG spokesman Peter Heilrath sees the Greens in a difficult situation. "Those who take an extreme stance on one side are often misinformed," says Heilrath.
In conclusion, the Green Party's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a delicate balance. The party faces internal debates over arms deliveries, human rights violations, and political extremism, all while navigating public opinion and historical considerations.
Key terms:- Gaza- Alliance 90/The Greens- Election campaign- Israel- Gaza Strip- Election loss- Loss of votes- Federal election- Annalena Baerbock- Franziska Brantner- Youth- Jakob Blasel- Bavaria- Instagram- Iraq- Middle East conflict- Germany- The Left- Sunday
Enrichment Data:- The stance of the German Green Party on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is often marked by a cautious approach, with the party traditionally refraining from harsh criticism of Israel[2]. This approach is partially due to historical reasons and strategic interests in the region[2]. However, the Greens, like other parties, face internal debates on these issues.In the context of the recent Gaza conflict and election results, the Greens' stance might be challenged by public opinion. Polls show that a majority of German citizens oppose Israel's actions in Gaza and object to sending weapons to Israel[2]. Despite these public sentiments, the Greens, along with other major parties, have not taken a strong stance against Israel's actions, fearing controversy and electoral instability[2].The Greens' relatively quiet stance on Gaza aligns with the broader political landscape in Germany, where support for Israel is influenced by post-Holocaust doctrine and strategic foreign policy considerations[3][5]. This posture is seen as contributing to the challenges faced by pro-Palestinian voices in Germany, who often face accusations of antisemitism and legal actions[1][3][5].
- The debates over the symbol of the Palestinian keffiyeh have left the Greens in a quandary, as their stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict stirs up controversy and potentially costs them votes.
- Annalena Baerbock, Green foreign minister, is trying to mediate the conflict and organize humanitarian aid for Gaza, but faces criticism for being seen as too understanding of the Israeli side.
- Internal debates within the Greens on issues such as arms deliveries to Israel, human rights violations, and political extremism add to the party's challenges in navigating the Israel-Palestine conflict.
