'As a queer Jew, I don't feel welcome': New report examines antisemitism in Berlin's LGBTQ+ scene

Antisemitism has become increasingly visible and intensified within parts of Berlin's queer community since the events of October 7, 2023, leaving many Jewish LGBTQ+ individuals feeling unwelcome, intimidated, and unsafe, according to a new report commissioned by Berlin’s Department for Justice and Anti-Discrimination. The report states that antisemitism in Berlin's queer scenes is not new but has grown more pronounced. It notes that queer activists have mobilized for anti-Israel demonstrations, and there is an expectation within the community to adopt an anti-Zionist position. The report links this antisemitism closely to the BDS campaign, despite a German Bundestag resolution in 2019 declaring the movement's methods antisemitic. Ari Elbert, a board member of Keshet Deutschland, a Jewish LGBTQI community in Germany, told the report that his organization has received significantly fewer invitations to participate in events since October 7. He explained that while motives aren't always exclusively antisemitic, allies are often attacked, particularly in queer-feminist circles, forcing individuals to take sides. Those unwilling to adopt a stance face immense pressure, while others fear hostility and boycott campaigns, leading them to withdraw platforms and spaces. One interviewee, identified as A.M., described a dramatic shift in the atmosphere within Berlin's LGBTQ+ community. "The atmosphere has changed dramatically," A.M. stated. "Conversations about Israel and Palestine have become highly polarized, and being Jewish in queer spaces now often means that people see you as a political position before they see you as a person." A.M. reported witnessing openly antisemitic slogans at queer protests and hearing justifications for violence against Jews in the name of solidarity. The silence from friends and organizations that typically speak out against discrimination was particularly painful, described as feeling like abandonment. Consequently, A.M. now avoids certain events and venues, fearing they might become a target for wearing a Star of David or openly expressing their Jewish identity. The report also cites the 2024 Dyke March controversy in Berlin as a key case study illustrating these tensions.

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Queer activists have mobilized for anti-Israel demonstrations, and there have been attacks on Jews. Those who want to be part of the scene are expected to adopt an anti-Zionist position.