Josef Schuster Warns of Threats to Jewish Life Under AfD and Left Party
- Under a government led by the Alternative for Germany, Jewish life in Saxony-Anhalt would be endangered on a permanent basis, Josef Schuster, the president of the Central Council...
- Schuster pointed specifically to the electoral platform of the AfD, which emerged as the strongest political force in Saxony-Anhalt during the September elections.
- Aus dem Wahlprogramm der AfD geht hervor, dass eine AfD-Regierung für alle religiösen Menschen, auch für die Kirchen, eine ernsthafte Bedrohung darstellt.
Under a government led by the Alternative for Germany, Jewish life in Saxony-Anhalt would be endangered on a permanent basis, Josef Schuster, the president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, warned in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Schuster raised alarms regarding upcoming government formations in Berlin and Saxony-Anhalt, citing both ideological and financial threats to religious communities following September’s regional elections.
Threats to Religious Communities in Saxony-Anhalt
Schuster pointed specifically to the electoral platform of the AfD, which emerged as the strongest political force in Saxony-Anhalt during the September elections. He argued that the risks extend beyond Jewish residents alone.
Aus dem Wahlprogramm der AfD geht hervor, dass eine AfD-Regierung für alle religiösen Menschen, auch für die Kirchen, eine ernsthafte Bedrohung darstellt. Denn die staatlichen Zuwendungen sollen drastisch gekürzt werden.
Josef Schuster, Central Council of Jews in Germany
Because of planned funding cuts outlined in the party program, Schuster sees the future of Jewish life in the federal state facing severe financial and ideological pressure.
Concerns Over the Left Party in Berlin
Regarding political developments in Berlin, Schuster expressed deep skepticism toward the Left Party, stating that he does not accept its purported departure from antisemitism. He noted that the party’s recent electoral success stemmed primarily from the housing situation in Berlin rather than antisemitic attitudes.
Schuster stated that he expects the Left Party to draw clear conclusions from past antisemitic incidents. While he believes lead candidate Elif Eralp holds personal views free of antisemitism, he voiced doubt regarding her internal political standing.
Aber ich befürchte – und es spricht vieles dafür -, dass sie nicht in der Lage ist, ihre Einstellung in der Partei entsprechend durchzusetzen.
Josef Schuster, Central Council of Jews in Germany
Upcoming Government Formations and Policy Decisions
The warnings from the Central Council arrive as political parties navigate complex coalition talks in both Berlin and Saxony-Anhalt.