Felix Klein, the Federal Government’s representative for combating antisemitism, has called for Israel to exercise restraint in the Middle East. Speaking to the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger”, Klein stated that Israel’s settlement policy is “a violation of international law” and actively prevents the realization of a two-state solution, which he believes is ultimately necessary. The antisemites representative added that the Israeli government would be best advised to rely on diplomacy rather than consistently resorting to hardline tactics.
Klein specifically criticized what he described as the “frequent lax handling of settler violence against Palestinian families in the West Bank,” demanding that the Israeli justice system vigorously investigate these incidents.
At the same time, Klein cautioned against conflating legitimate criticism of Israel with antisemitism. He explained that critique of Israel becomes antisemitic when it calls into question Israel’s right to exist or when it denigrates the country-for example, by comparing it to the Nazis. According to Klein, objections to Israel must be comparable to criticisms leveled against other nations. He noted that objections to the Trump administration typically do not constitute anti-Americanism, nor is the actions of Beijing in Tibet automatically branded as genocide.
When asked whether the charge that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza is antisemitic, Klein replied that the matter is currently before the International Court of Justice. He stated that he would continue to label the generalized claim of genocide as antisemitic until the court determines otherwise.
Klein is stepping down from his current post after eight years to assume the role of German OECD Ambassador in Paris.
