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Going After Funded NGOs: Anti-Semitism Charges Dog "Democracy Lives!" Program
After a heated parliamentary inquiry from the Union party, several parties and organizations have launched a full-blown attack on entities receiving funds from the 180-million-euro program, "Democracy Lives!". This time, the accusation is that certain NGOs, funded by the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, have made anti-Semitic remarks.
The spotlight is on Heidelberg association Teilseiend, which raked in 2.8 million euros for its work against Islamophobia. A board member of Teilseiend was caught on record calling Jewish Zionists "a disease" and questioning whether Germany was becoming a Jewish state. After the backlash, the association severed ties with the individual and denounced their statements.
A similar accusation is levied at Berlin-based non-profit company BIWOC Rising, which received 800,000 euros for a project against discrimination against Sinti and Roma, Muslims, and Jews of color. The managing director of BIWOC Rising shared a post on the anniversary of October 7 that described Israeli military and civilians' attacks as "resistance against colonialism." While the individual argues the quotes were taken out of context, they strongly condemn anti-Semitism and dismiss the accusations.
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Amid these controversies, conversations on Palestinian-Jewish ecumenism, Zionism, and the ongoing Nakba are taking place, featuring historian Ussama Makdisi.
In another development, Union politician Alexander Throm demands that funding for NGOs be contingent upon "unwavering loyalty" to national objectives. The AfD party wants to cut off funding for organizations making "extremist" anti-Semitic statements and connections. The Central Council of Jews accuses the targeted groups of promoting "Israel-related anti-Semitism" and demands a comprehensive review of the democracy program.
The Federal Anti-Semitism Commissioner Felix Klein has stepped in, engaging with Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU), who has subsequently announced a revision of "Democracy Lives!". In the future, funds will be allocated more efficiently to support the mainstream society. The SPD backs this move.
However, former Green Volker Beck, now managing director of the Israel-friendly Tikvah Institute, is advocating for funding restrictions and cites the black-red coalition agreement to modify the federal budgetary law. Internal affairs spokesperson for Alliance 90/The Greens, Lamya Kaddor, has emphasized that there are already comprehensive checks on favored associations in the party's democracy program.
This political clash marks a tense debate on whether state funding, meant to combat anti-democratic tendencies, inadvertently enables extremist or intolerant ideologies under the guise of promoting democracy.
- The heated parliamentary inquiry has led to a critical examination of funded NGOs under the "Democracy Lives!" program, with allegations of anti-Semitic remarks surfacing.
- The Heidelberg association Teilseiend, recipient of 2.8 million euros, has been under scrutiny due to a board member's anti-Semitic comments.
- The managing director of BIWOC Rising, a recipient of 800,000 euros, is also under investigation for a controversial post about Israeli military attacks.
- Historian Ussama Makdisi is part of ongoing conversations on Palestinian-Jewish ecumenism, Zionism, and the Nakba.
- union politician Alexander Throm is advocating for funding to NGOs to be contingent upon unwavering loyalty to national objectives.
- The AfD party wants to cut off funding for organizations making extremist anti-Semitic statements and connections.
- The Central Council of Jews accuses the targeted groups of promoting "Israel-related anti-Semitism" and demands a comprehensive review of the democracy program.
- The Federal Anti-Semitism Commissioner Felix Klein has engaged with Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) over the issue, leading to a revision of "Democracy Lives!".
- In the future, funds will be allocated more efficiently to support the mainstream society, as announced by Minister Prien.
- The SPD backs this move to revise the program and address the concerns raised.
- Former Green Volker Beck, now managing director of the Israel-friendly Tikvah Institute, is advocating for funding restrictions, citing the black-red coalition agreement to modify the federal budgetary law.
- Internal affairs spokesperson for Alliance 90/The Greens, Lamya Kaddor, has emphasized that there are already comprehensive checks on favored associations in the party's democracy program.
- This political clash has ignited a tense debate on whether state funding meant to combat anti-democratic tendencies inadvertently supports extremist or intolerant ideologies under the guise of promoting democracy.
- In the realm of general news, migration, war-and-conflicts, and policy-and-legislation continue to dominate conversations.
- Amidst the political turmoil, sports news featuring football, WNBA, baseball, hockey, golf, and basketball remain popular, offering a temporary escape.
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