Antisemitic ideology deeply embedded within the far-right German AfD party, new AJC report shows
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- A new report by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) claims antisemitic ideas are deeply embedded in Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
- The report states that while the AfD denies antisemitism, its rhetoric, mobilization, and memory politics utilize coded language and conspiracy narratives.
- The AfD frames politics as a struggle between virtuous people and corrupt elites, mirroring patterns of modern antisemitism.
A new analysis by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) asserts that antisemitic ideas, conspiracy narratives, and historical revisionism are deeply ingrained within Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The report, authored by Professor Dr. Lars Rensmann, highlights that despite the party's public denials of antisemitism, such concepts are pervasive in its rhetoric, strategies, and political discourse.
Antisemitic ideas, codes, and narratives permeate its rhetoric, mobilization strategies, and memory politics.
Rensmann, a specialist in political ideologies and antisemitism, argues that political antisemitism serves as a unifying element for the AfD's opposition to modern, pluralist democracy. He notes that the party, which has evolved from a Eurosceptic movement into a significant parliamentary force, positions itself against liberal democracy while promoting authoritarian and ethno-nationalist worldviews.
Political antisemitism functions as a connective element within the party’s broader opposition to modern, pluralist democracy.
The report details how the AfD employs a stark 'friend-enemy' framework, portraying a conflict between a 'virtuous people' and 'corrupt domestic elites' or 'external forces.' Rensmann contends that this framing closely resembles historical antisemitic patterns that depicted Jews as hidden enemies, linking internal traitors with external threats.
The AfD frames politics into virtuous people versus corrupt domestic elites. external forces
Rather than explicitly naming Jewish people, the AfD frequently uses coded language. The report points to terms like 'globalists,' 'cosmopolitan elites,' and 'shadowy financial powers' as drawing on long-standing antisemitic stereotypes. Furthermore, the study identifies the conspiracy myth of a planned 'Great Replacement' of the native population as a key narrative within the party's discourse.
Rather than naming Jews explicitly, Rensmann argued that the AfD usually relies on coded language.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
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