Jewish groups around world alarmed by far-right breakthrough in Germany

I'm not surprised. The AdF have been under the microscope for a while.

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/1.708756

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/06/anti-immigration-party-afd-germany-leader-crisis-antisemitism-wolfgang-gedeon-frauke-petry-jorg-meuthen

The Central Council of Jews in Germany said the election results had confirmed its worst fears and urged other parties to remain united in opposing the AfD.

"A party that tolerates right-wing extremist thinking in its ranks and incites hatred against minorities ...will now be represented in parliament and nearly all state legislatures," the group's president Josef Schuster said in a statement.

For now, the danger is there. But fascism will be given short shrift. And apart from a few inconsequential voices on the internet praising and rationalising it; it has a habit of uniting people against it. So maybe some good will come out of this situation.

"There's nothing in our party or in our programme that could or should in any way concern Jewish people who live here in Germany," Alexander Gauland, the AfD's top candidate,

Nothing puts people at ease quite like a declaration that they aren't allowed to see you as a threat.

For now, the danger is there. But fascism will be given short shrift. And apart from a few inconsequential voices on the internet praising and rationalising it; it has a habit of uniting people against it. So maybe some good will come out of this situation.

Well, the left chose Merkel, so this problem is not going away. As long as the German people see their culture and language erode and non-stop influx of immigrants that refuse to adhere or assimilate to the laws of the country it will only worsen and that's very sad. We all benefit from immigration in some form, but the way this woman is doing it, it's killing the country.

Well, the left chose Merkel, so this problem is not going away

Voting for a racist, anti-semitism, homophobic party is not going to make racism, anti-semitism and homophobia go away.

And the people chose Merkel. The overwhelming majority of people voted her in.

Her party is not left wing. It's centre right. If you understand German politics you'd know this.

We all benefit from immigration in some form, but the way this woman is doing it, it's killing the country.

Hyperbole and nonsense. Germany is not being killed.

Voting for a racist, anti-semitism, homophobic party is not going to make racism, anti-semitism and homophobia go away.

But having refugees and radical islamists that refuse outright to assimilate will?

And the people chose Merkel. The overwhelming majority of people voted her in.

And the far right gained more seats than ever before 13% that's very significant and that will continue to grow.

Her party is not left wing. It's centre right. If you understand German politics you'd know this.

Yes, I know it all too well, that's why I'm standing by my statement.

Hyperbole and nonsense. Germany is not being killed.

Slowly, but surely it is.

Well, the left chose Merkel

How many times does it need to be pointed out that Merkel is not the choice of left wing Germans?

How many times does it need to be pointed out that Merkel is not the choice of left wing Germans?

This is like one of those buddhist unanswerable questions.

You could point it out an infinite number of times, but the people who want to believe the lie, will continue to do so.

The left certainly did not choose Merkel. They voted for Die Linke ("The Left") or some tiny, unimportant Marxist-Leninist parties. Anything right from Die Linke like the social democrats (SPD) or the Green Party doesn't really count as "left" over here in Germany. For me as a democratic socialist it's embarrassing enough having to defend Merkel from far-right attacks. At least she stopped that nuclear power madness and showed a heart for refugees when most other politicians seemed to feel fine with letting them drown in the Mediterranean Sea.

I really wonder where Bass gets his information on Germany from. He's clearly not living here like I do.

I have no problem with non-Israeli Jewish groups expressing their concerns about the Afd however I think the Israeli govt is in no position to lecture anyone on populism, human rights or "inciting hatred against minorities". Jewish ppl in Germany are still 100x safer than non-Jews living in Israel.

The rise of the AfD is a result of cloth-eared Merkel refusing to listen to the German people. Now she seems surprised by their success, but she is the one to blame. People do not want unlimited, uncontrolled immigration. I think that's true in every country, but so many politicians refuse to listen.

How many times does it need to be pointed out that Merkel is not the choice of left wing Germans?

Not true. She most definitely is.

They voted for Die Linke ("The Left") or some tiny, unimportant Marxist-Leninist parties.

You could point it out an infinite number of times, but the people who want to believe the lie, will continue to do so.

God, I do sincerely hope you remember those words, because I will. I hope the left equally cherish and value those words as well.

Not true. She most definitely is.

Other than being entirely wrong, you're right!

Not true. She most definitely is.

I'm glad we have the voice of a seasoned journalist who can tell Merkel's center-right supporters that they are actually left wing.

If anything, the rise of the AfD in Germany, typifies the continued need for vigilance against extremism. 

While I agree that Germans no longer need feel guilty about Hitler and the Nazi party, the example of what is happening in America should warrant caution. Fascists have learned to dress in polo shirts and khaki pants, but the vileness of their beliefs have not changed. 

Congratulations Ms. Merkel. I hope you can forge a strong coalition. The world needs your strong leadership, especially in light of America's abdication.

You could apply some of the comment's made in the story, and above, to the US (both today and in the past).

At least the German leadership opposes the legitimacy of the neo-Nazis.  

Over here in the US, Trump breathes life into the far right hate groups like the Nazis, the KKK, the alt-right, etc.

No one wishes to see a return of the Nazi's, neo or past. But what is it that makes the AfD be grouped together with them, why shouldnt the Republican Party and all those who vote for it, be considered in the same way ?

Not true. She most definitely is.

Do you understand the difference between left and center right? Genuine question.

@Tokyo-Engr - so a far-right Government headed by a Family with Jewish ties is okay now ? I guess if so by implication all Germans Right wing parties are Nazi's ?

Do you understand the difference between left and center right?

To the extreme right, everything that isn't extreme right is 'the left'.

Luckily jewish groups are not far right.

Do you understand the difference between left and center right? Genuine question.

The left are so far out there that Cuba wouldn't eve want them.

At least the German leadership opposes the legitimacy of the neo-Nazis.  

And yet, they have obtained 13 seats in parliament so for some people it would seem they are doing something right and that will climb given the current climate of the German situation.

Over here in the US, Trump breathes life into the far right hate groups like the Nazis, the KKK, the alt-right, etc.

Yeah, but he doesn't support them, huge difference.

If anything, the rise of the AfD in Germany, typifies the continued need for vigilance against extremism. 

Yes, but I think Merkel went too far, there's no turning back the page as far as what's to come.

While I agree that Germans no longer need feel guilty about Hitler and the Nazi party, the example of what is happening in America should warrant caution. Fascists have learned to dress in polo shirts and khaki pants, but the vileness of their beliefs have not changed. 

You forgot to add the Black shirts, Black masks, Birkenstocks, long matted beards and dreadlocks, these fascists are unrelenting and will drop you for even looking at them cross eyed.

Congratulations Ms. Merkel. I hope you can forge a strong coalition. The world needs your strong leadership, especially in light of America's abdication.

I weep for the people of Germany and I weep especially for my family and friends.

I'm glad we have the voice of a seasoned journalist who can tell Merkel's center-right supporters that they are actually left wing.

Well, thanks for the compliments as always, bro. I am glad you see it for what she is, a left winger and to the max.

Well, thanks for the compliments as always, bro. I am glad you see it for what she is, a left winger and to the max.

Could you tell us where to buy a copy of the lunatic fringe guide to European politics?

I am glad you see it for what she is, a left winger and to the max.

I see your opinion. Any European party or politician is by default radically liberal. Unless they are decidedly anti-immigrant, anti-plurality, anti-compromise. There is no middle ground.

You've said before that Europeans need to keep their noses out of American politics. In the interest of consistency, you may wish to apply the converse to yourself.

I see your opinion. Any European party or politician is by default radically liberal.

I was talking about Merkel, not the rest of Europe.

Unless they are decidedly anti-immigrant, anti-plurality, anti-compromise. There is no middle ground.

No, there is a difference between legally allowing people to take refuge in your country or opening up the floodgates and letting every single person in regardless if they are a sleeper cell terrorist or Jihadist or people that don't want to assimilate.

That's my belief. Again, there are areas in Germany where immigrants outnumber the residents, that's just insane.

You've said before that Europeans need to keep their noses out of American politics. In the interest of consistency, you may wish to apply the converse to yourself.

Back at you, I'll keep my thoughts to myself and every European should refrain from criticizing our president, sounds fair? I think it does.

The left are so far out there that Cuba wouldn't eve want them.

You paint swashy obfuscatory picture but don't actually answer questions put to you.

Again; do you understand the difference between left and center right? Genuine question.

How about a genuine answer?

I can't say I know much about politics in Germany, but I do know that when the far right makes gains here in the US, the driving factor is always fear.

Again; do you understand the difference between left and center right? Genuine question.

Never mind 'left', Bass described her as 'a left winger and to the max'.

This is a world where there is nothing to the left of Merkel. The German electorate will be shocked to discover this.

This is a world where there is nothing to the left of Merkel. The German electorate will be shocked to discover this.

I doubt it.

No, Bass. They would be either shocked or truly ROFL to read a statement like that.

It's just divorced from reality.

No, Bass. They would be either shocked or truly ROFL to read a statement like that

No, Jim, I don’t think so. I think the average German would gasp at the Naivität that is the cloud sweeping over you leftists.