ZDF podcast “Lanz & Precht”
Questionable statements in the podcast: Quotes from Richard David Precht subsequently removed
Richard David Precht is accused of anti-Semitism because of controversial statements about Judaism
© Rolf Vennenbernd / DPA
Orthodox Jews are not allowed to work for religious reasons – except in finance, said Richard David Precht in the podcast with Markus Lanz. The philosopher has now apologized for this. And ZDF goes one step further.
Precht himself said in a statement added later before the episode that a wording had been used that had caused offense and led to criticism. “Of course we don’t want that and we really regret that it’s that way. Especially since it wasn’t even remotely meant the way it was perceived.” The 58-year-old announced that he wanted to talk about it in the next episode.
In the episode published on Friday, Precht said that her religion forbids Orthodox Jews from working. “Except for a few things like diamond trading and a few financial transactions.”
Israeli organizations accuse Precht of anti-Semitism
The German-Israeli Society was outraged by this statement. “Mazal tov, Messrs. Precht & Lanz, a whole new low!” wrote the German-Israeli Society on the X platform (formerly Twitter). Precht outraged with anti-Semitic statements.
The Israeli embassy in Germany had already accused Precht of anti-Semitism on Saturday. “Schuster stick to your guns: Dear Richard David Precht, if you don’t know anything about Judaism, it’s better to say nothing about it than to rehash ancient anti-Semitic conspiracy theories,” she shared on X. The deputy CDU chairwoman and spokeswoman for the CDU Jewish Forum, Karin Prien, made a similar statement. “Anti-Semitic stereotypes by super philosopher Richard David Precht. Germany 2023. Stunned.”