12. October 2023 | BAG RelEx

Statement on the Terrorist Attack by Hamas

BAG RelEx strongly condemns the terrorist attack by Hamas and its allies on Israel and the massacres of civilians. Regardless of how the Middle East conflict is politically assessed:

Massacres of civilians are not a form of resistance but rather inhumane terrorism that cannot be justified. Since the end of World War II, there have been no comparable antisemitic pogroms worldwide. We are shocked by the extent of the terror and deeply concerned about the further consequences for the civilian population. We mourn the victims and stand in solidarity with the relatives and survivors of those killed in Israel and the Palestinian territories. We hope that the hostages will soon be safely reunited with their friends and families.

We strongly condemn those who, even here in Germany, applaud, trivialize, or call for further pogroms in response to the targeted killings of Jewish children, women, and men, as well as the rapes and abductions. At the same time, we want to encourage those young people and adults who are committed to a peaceful path—now and in the future.

For us, it remains essential to consistently oppose antisemitism in all its forms, as well as anti-Muslim racism in all its facets. Generalizations or prejudice-driven simplifications of the entire conflict or entire population groups do not contribute to calming emotions and tensions; on the contrary, they have historically fueled further antisemitic and racist violence, even in Europe.

We call on political decision-makers to act with prudence and to refrain from making hasty decisions that could further escalate conflicts within Germany. We urge politicians to engage with experts and colleagues—including those from our member organizations—to discuss and implement appropriate responses at the levels of democracy promotion and radicalization prevention. The repression of antisemitic hatred and a consistent stance against any endorsement of terrorism are necessary. However, these measures alone are not sufficient to address the complexity of the entire conflict in all its dimensions, nor to tackle conflict situations—such as those in educational contexts—through pedagogical and political education.

In the end, terrorism must not triumph, leading to even more fear, horror, and violence. We call on all committed democrats who genuinely care about preventing further deterioration of the situation for civilians in both the Palestinian territories and Israel to work towards de-escalation here at home. From our own experience, we understand how challenging, emotional, and multifaceted engagement with the Middle East conflict is. At the same time, there is no alternative to seeking peaceful solutions to the conflict—even if, in the current situation, this may seem utopian or even absurd to many.

The Board and Management of German Council on Preventing Extremism (BAG RelEx)
Berlin, October 2023