In the wake of the Islamism scandals at WDR and ZDF, Felix Klein (53), the Federal Government’s anti-Semitism commissioner, has joined the debate. And calls for clarification!
Because: ZDF is currently facing serious allegations because the public broadcaster has brought the anti-Semitic author Feyza-Yasmin Ayhan on board to work on a sitcom (“Barry’s Barbershop”). Ayhan took part in an anti-hate demonstration in May, gave extremist speeches himself and shared anti-Semitic content on Instagram several times.
Klein said to BILD that “private anti-Semitic statements” are “covered by freedom of expression if they are not criminally relevant.” BUT: “As with right-wing extremism, care must be taken with all forms of anti-Semitism that people not to be placed in positions which they could use to spread hatred of Jews. “Germany has a historical responsibility here.
This applies “in view of the riots here in Germany in May, in which synagogues were attacked, especially for Israel-related hatred of Jews”. Klein: “The public service broadcasters should therefore always check carefully who they are giving a forum to.”
Klein’s request to ZDF: “Clarification is urgently needed in the Feyza-Yasmin Ayhan case too.” The author herself should also comment on the allegations.
Photo: picture alliance / Rene Bertrand / Federal Ministry of the Interior / dpa
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/antisemitismus-beauftragter-klein- sucht-aufklaerung-vom-zdf-b75f26f7fbc243758ca581292766f4c0-77952454/Bild/5.bild.jpg “/> Anti-Semitism officer Klein calls for clarification from ZDFPhoto: picture alliance / Rene Bertrand / Federal Ministry of the Interior / dpa
The ZDF did not take a position on the allegations against Ayhan on Tuesday. A ZDF spokeswoman told BILD: “Basically, all productions commissioned by ZDF are editorially checked and their content approved.”
The public broadcaster left unanswered a renewed inquiry about ZDF’s position on the allegations against the author.
Meanwhile, artists and politicians also express clear criticism of ZDF. Actor Daniel Donskoy (31) wrote on Twitter that what Ayhan said was “permeated with very disgusting anti-Semitism”. His request to ZDF: “Take a stand – now!”
The American-Jewish organization AJC said on Twitter that the author “in the past repeatedly attracted attention with anti-Semitic and Israel-hating content”. “In particular, a public broadcaster like ZDF must not accept anti-Semitism as part of the democratic discourse!”
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