Germany’s Muslims uneasy, afraid to speak, community leader says

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - Germany's Central Council of Muslims warned Tuesday against the false accusations of antisemitism against those who criticize Israel’s military campaign against the Gaza Strip.

“Many Muslims in our country are uneasy, they’re afraid to speak out at all, and feel intimidated by the debate,” Central Council of Muslims Chairman Aiman Mazyek told public radio RBB.

He said politicians and media outlets that accuse Muslim organizations of antisemitism, or supporting Hamas, are mistaken.

Mazyek underlined that Muslims have condemned attacks that targeted civilians, but also demanded an end to the military campaign by Israel.

"On the one hand, it is about condemning extremism such as the Hamas terror on October 7 and, on the other hand, making it clear that the war in Gaza and the Israeli bombardment must not continue,” he said.

In the end, the escalation of violence only helps extremists and pushes a peace solution in the Middle East into the distant future, said Mazyek.

He criticized German media reports that labeled pro-Palestinian demonstrations as “Hamas rallies” and accused protestors of “anti-Semitism” or incitement to hatred.

People who have lost loved ones in Gaza should be allowed to express their feelings, said Mazyek.

Palestinian groups organized dozens of rallies in recent weeks to demand a humanitarian cease-fire and condemned Israeli military strikes on Gaza.

The vast majority of demonstrations were peaceful, but some politicians demanded a ban on such protests, claiming that they were anti-Israel and supportive of Hamas.

Critics say rhetoric used by politicians is placing all pro-Palestinian protesters under general suspicion of anti-Semitism, while they are increasingly being stigmatized and subjected to racism.

The German government has repeatedly said Israel’s security is non-negotiable as it bears historical responsibility for Jews because of the country’s Nazi past, and crimes committed against Jews during World War II.