Nobel Winner Annie Ernaux Joins Campaign Against German Stance Over Gaza (image-twitter/bdsmovement/representational)
Nobel prize for literature winner Annie Ernaux along with more than 500 global artists, filmmakers, writers and culture workers have joined the push against Germany’s stance on Israel’s war on Gaza.
The artists have called out to step back from collaborating with German-funded associations. The campaign was launched this week by French author Anner Ernaux and Palestinian poet and activist Mohammed El Kurd. They have openly criticised Germany for adopting ‘McCarthyist policies that suppress freedom of expression, specifically expressions of solidarity with Palestine,’ reports Al Jazeera.
Amid the latest escalation of the war, the protest called ‘Strike Germany’ is launched aiming to bring the attention to Germany’s growing alleged crackdown on pro-Palestinian advocacy.
The country has suppressed all kind of symbols and protests indicting its support to Palestine. The ban on rallies imposed by Berlin authorities was widely condemned as discriminatory.
The signatories have alleged that the 97 days of war on Gaza has resulted in widespread of chilling effect through out the country. The artists who have taken this courageous move includes, “American actress, Indya Moore, British Turner Prize Winner Tai Shani, and Lebanese alternative rock singer Hamed Sinno of the popular disbanded group Mashrou’ Leila”.
In an attempt to silence the voices of the oppressed, the German president has also called on the Arab leaders to distance themselves from the militant resistance group, Hamas.
The artist-led campaign has called on German institutions to combat structural racism and has demanded for the protection of artistic freedom. The artists believes that the boycott campaign will help them to instigate political change and will enable in the amplification of the voices of those advocating for the cause.
The campaign is said to affect the upcoming Berlin Film Festival, as well as associations like the Goethe-Institute and museum like Gropius Bau.
Ever since the beginning of the war, Germany has stood firmly with its ally. Though the genocide committed by Israel have mounted, Germany has not budged from its stance.
The German political elite defends themselves by justifying their stance with the alleged feeling of guilt towards the Holocaust. By taking this as cover, Germany is suppressing all forms voices of Palestine by using all means. In recent weeks, reports shows escalation in police violence towards pro-Palestinian protestors.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior banned the famous slogan, call to freedom “from river to the sea”, terming it as a call to destroy Israel. Meanwhile, the state of Bavaria has labelled the phrase a “symbol of terrorism”.
