A prominent Jewish peace activist in Berlin has spoken out against what he perceives as attempts by German authorities to suppress the Palestine solidarity movement in the country.
Udi Raz, a 34-year-old Israeli citizen, has been actively involved in the solidarity movement, advocating for the German government to halt weapons sales to Israel.
During a protest march against a proposed regulation that could result in students losing their degrees for participating in pro-Palestine activities, Raz criticized the government’s efforts to silence dissent.
“For months, we have witnessed the German government’s relentless attempts to silence us and infringe upon our democratic rights. This is a violation of the principles of the so-called Democratic Republic of Germany,” he remarked.
Raz highlighted concerns about academic freedom, particularly in Berlin, where universities are considering measures that could penalize students for advocating for a cease-fire or the implementation of international law in Palestine.
Germany has been a significant supplier of weapons to Israel, accounting for nearly half of all Israeli weapons imports last year, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Raz is part of a growing movement of anti-Zionist Jews in Germany who have been vocal in their opposition to Israeli actions in Gaza, where the death toll has surpassed 34,000 Palestinians since October 7.
As a board member of the Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Middle East, an NGO labeled as anti-Semitic by the German state, Raz has faced challenges, including the freezing of the organization’s bank accounts.
The NGO, which advocates for a cease-fire in Gaza and the suspension of German weapons sales to Israel, recently had a conference shut down by Berlin police, leading to Raz’s brief arrest.
In response to the crackdown, Raz emphasized the importance of speaking out for democracy, human rights, and international law, especially in the context of ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank.
He stressed the need for Germany to distinguish between the state of Israel and Jews, rejecting the notion that Israel represents all Jews. Raz asserted that Jews are diverse and have varied perspectives, and criticizing Israel does not equate to anti-Semitism.
