Three weeks ago, I sat down for an interview with, Dr. Malte Kaufmann, a member of the German Bundestag for the far-right populist Alternative for German (AfD) party. During our talk, Dr. Kaufmann positioned himself unequivocally on Israel’s side. A few days later, I had coffee in Jerusalem with Baden-Württemberg AfD politician Stephan Köthe and witnessed an equally clear commitment to Israel there as well. And now the same AfD wins a historic state election in Saxony-Anhalt with nearly 44 percent of the vote, while Israeli media speak of a “political earthquake” and a “genuine state of alert” for Germany.
This is precisely the tension at the heart of the matter. Which AfD did I encounter in my meetings, and which AfD do many Jews and Israelis see when they look at Germany? Is it truly one of the most resolute political supporters of Israel in Germany, or does its solidarity with Israel conceal a party whose nationalist and partly revisionist wing sets off old alarm bells, particularly among Jews? Simply playing one against...
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From Israel’s perspective, German politics is a foreign landscape marked by lies and distortions—a barrage of attacks originating from a radical left-wing minority.
The reality is different. The majority in Germany wants a free, tolerant, and pro-Israel policy, just like in Israel. They view Germans and Jews as allies fighting for the same goal. Personally, I have never met an anti-Zionist.
Only the left-wing, pro-Palestinian minority (ranging from the Left Party to parts of the CDU) rants about genocide and tyranny. But this minority controls the levers of public opinion. So one shouldn’t believe a word they say.
On the contrary—I believe that if Israel were in distress and danger… then thousands, if not tens of thousands, of Germans would want to come to Israel to help and resist.
But among them, there would be more AfD voters than from any other party. Believe me: The “F” in AfD stands for freedom. That means: freedom from and against Islamist tyranny.
Politically, it would be a mistake for Israel not to seek an alliance or dialogue with the AfD. Because that would be a win-win-win situation: for Israel, for the righteous (“gerechten”) Germans, and for the whole world.
And please don’t let yourselves be unsettled by malicious anti-Zionist governments. Or by the voices of a crazy minority.
Think about the Eurovision Song Contest—since October 2023, Israel has consistently won the public vote. Although I understand that the jury doesn’t want to allow a follow-up event in Tel Aviv (or even in Australia).
But Israel won—perhaps not because of the music or the song at all, but because of the solidarity shown after October 7.
Be proud of that, stay strong, stay cool, and believe in HIM. HaTikva is our credo.