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The director of the Anne Frank educational institution, Meron Mendel, at a photo session.
© Christian Charisius/dpa
After the reactions to statements critical of Israel during the closing gala of the Berlinale, the director of the Anne Frank educational institution, Meron Mendel, warned against a culture of prohibition.
“The debate about the Middle East conflict and the Gaza war is being conducted emotionally in many places.
In Germany it goes hand in hand with specifically German history and specifically with the Holocaust.
Berlin - That's why we have an area of tension between political positioning such as the commitment to a German reason of state on Israel and a cultural sector in which anti-Israel to anti-Israel positions are supported by large parts of the community," said Mendel to the dpa news agency in Berlin.
During the Berlinale Gala on Saturday evening, the Middle East conflict was discussed several times.
Numerous jury members and award winners called for a ceasefire in the Gaza war verbally or with badges.
In an acceptance speech for an award there was talk of a genocide, a genocide.
The statements were subsequently met with criticism and outrage from politicians and associations.
“Whether we like it or not, we have to learn to tolerate such debates.
It won't work any other way.
A culture of prohibition like the one in the debate about an anti-discrimination clause in Berlin and attempts to regulate everything by politicians don't work," said Mendel.
The Israeli-German journalist also identified a one-sided positioning for the Palestinian side.
“Other aspects or perspectives of the other side were completely ignored.” It is very easy to criticize that.
Another question is expectations of the Berlinale management.
Berlinale boss Mariette Rissenbeek “regarded the situation on site in a very balanced way”.
She addressed the war in Gaza and the situation of the Palestinian civilian population and spoke about the hostages.
“The fact that the winners of the various prizes use the stage for symbols or speeches to make political statements can be seen as good or bad.” It is very difficult for the organization of the Berlinale to intervene.
“Such ideas are unrealistic and would not have made the situation any better.”
Mendel spoke of provocations by individual participants, who tended to get more attention as a result of the criticism.
“A provocation is not a balanced presentation.
You can think that’s good or bad, but it’s hard to stop.”
In his experience, such debates do more harm than good when it comes to combating anti-Semitism.
“It would be wrong to describe all those who criticize Israel one-sidedly and sometimes with radical positions as anti-Semites.”
Mendel also warned against exclusion.
“We are fighting an ideology of boycotting the State of Israel.
Now attempts are being made to counter this with exactly the same means, namely a boycott of those who criticize Israel one-sidedly.
The answer to boycott cannot be boycott.
The answer to boycott can only be encounters, discourse, arguments.” dpa