Haaretz Podcast 'Ironically, Israel's far-right extremists are more normalized than Germany's far right'
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Mar 2, 2025 Vera Weidenbach, a German journalist from Table Briefings, and David Issacharoff, an editor at Haaretz, dive into the unsettling rise of Germany's far-right AfD party. Weidenbach warns of the party's neo-Nazi roots and its dangerous normalization in German politics. Issacharoff highlights the Israeli perspective, focusing on Netanyahu's support for the conservative CDU. They discuss the implications for both countries and the nuanced responses from Jewish communities regarding this political shift, raising concerns about alliances amidst global extremism.
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Symbolic Loss for Democracy
- The AfD's success signifies a failure of Germany's post-WWII political system, designed to prevent extremist rise.
- Their deep roots in neo-Nazi culture, especially in East Germany, are alarming.
Widespread Support for AFD
- While the AfD didn't achieve total dominance, their widespread support across Germany is concerning.
- Their decentralized power base poses a significant threat to German politics.
Protecting Democracy
- German democratic parties are hesitant to use all available tools against the AfD.
- It's crucial to utilize democratic means to protect democracy itself from threats like the AfD.