Antisemitism commissioner calls settlement policy 'contrary to international law'

Felix Klein, the German government's commissioner for antisemitism, has sharply criticized Israel's settlement policy in the West Bank, declaring it a violation of international law. In an interview with the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, Klein stated that the policy moves away from the necessary two-state solution.

“

The Israeli government would be well advised to proceed with diplomacy here and not always with hardness.

Klein also condemned what he described as the "often lax treatment of settler violence against Palestinian families in the West Bank." He emphasized that the Israeli justice system must pursue such acts clearly. The commissioner's remarks come amid a significant escalation of violence in the West Bank since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, with extremist settlers frequently targeting Palestinian residents.

“

The Israeli judicial system must pursue this very clearly.

Furthermore, Klein addressed the fine line between legitimate criticism of Israel and antisemitism. He explained that criticism crosses into antisemitism when it questions Israel's right to exist or demonizes the country, for instance, by comparing it to Nazi Germany. Klein asserted that criticism of Israel should be comparable to criticism leveled against other nations, noting that objections to the Trump administration or China's actions in Tibet are not typically framed as anti-Americanism or genocide.

“

Criticism of Israeli policy becomes antisemitic when Israel's right to exist is questioned. Or when Israel is demonized – for example, by comparing it to the National Socialists.

Regarding the accusation of genocide against Israel in the Gaza Strip, Klein stated that it is a matter for the International Court of Justice. He declared that he would continue to label the blanket accusation of genocide as antisemitic until the court rules otherwise. Klein is concluding his eight-year term as the federal government's commissioner for Jewish life and the fight against antisemitism.

“

This is the subject of proceedings before the International Court of Justice. I will continue to call the blanket accusation of genocide antisemitic until the court determines otherwise.