Didi Hallervorden triggers criticism with a poem about Gaza and Israel
Didi Hallervorden triggers criticism with a poem about Gaza
The actor Didi Hallervorden triggers strong criticism with a poem about Gaza. In the video he condemns Hamas terror, but accuses Israel of apartheid and genocide in Gaza. For example, he asks: “This isn’t supposed to be genocide?” Hamas propaganda videos are playing in the background.
In a three-minute video, Dieter Hallervorden accused Israel of “genocide” in the Gaza Strip. The clip was accompanied by Hamas propaganda videos. Politicians reacted indignantly. Hallervorden defended himself in the RBB.
DHeter Hallervorden has commented on the war in Gaza and spoken of apartheid and genocide in connection with Israel’s policy. In a three-minute video, the 88-year-old actor posted on Tuesday posted on Facebook, he calls for a ceasefire and the release of “all hostages.” The post is also on Instagram to see, he already got 25,000 likes there.
The video shows, among other things, propaganda videos from Hamas and excerpts from the Qatari news channel al-Jazeera in the background. Hallervorden speaks a poem that he wrote together with the songwriter and former Bundestag member of the Left, Diether Dehm.
About a father from Gaza whose child was killed, Hallervorden said: “Should I recommend this father to be as cool as a talk guest, just not to miss a word that appears anti-Semitic?” About German politics he says: “ They pledge allegiance to apartheid, from traffic lights to AfD.” The use of the term apartheid in relation to the Jewish state of Israel is very controversial. Hallervorden also criticizes arms deliveries to Israel – and asks: “And that shouldn’t be genocide?”
“If you are looking for an example of guilt-defense anti-Semitism in the context of perpetrator-victim reversal in the Middle East conflict, Hallervorden’s work is a picture-perfect example,” said Volker Beck (Greens), President of the German-Israeli Society “Picture”.
And the CDU Bundestag member Gitta Connemann commented sharply X: “Self-righteous anti-Semitism as a lyrical sentiment. Instead of honey, dirt in the head. To choke.”
Hallervorden defends itself in the RBB
Hallervorden defended his video in the RBB “Abendschau” on Wednesday. “I exercised my right to freedom of expression, knowing full well that I was not expressing everyone’s opinion,” he said. “I believe that the situation in Gaza is incompatible with international law, that the situation has nothing to do with humanity.”
Regarding the accusation that he was promoting anti-Semitism, Hallervorden said: “So it was a call to say: Come back, try to keep the weapons silent, talk to each other – this is the only way to find the solution. I don’t know what’s anti-Semitic about that.” Collective solidarity with Israel cannot be maintained. If you notice wrongdoing in a friend, you are obliged to talk about it. Regarding the “genocide” statement, Hallervorden said that, despite the centuries-long guilt of the German people, “you have to address things as you feel them, straight up.”
A few weeks ago, the actor and Berlin theater director shared a post on Instagram in which he took a position against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called on the German government to work towards an end to the war between Israel and Hamas.
On October 7th, the terrorist organization Hamas, which rules in the Gaza Strip, attacked Israel, massacred more than 1,200 people and kidnapped around 240 people as hostages. Israel then launched a war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. According to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, the number of deaths in Gaza recently rose to around 33,800.