Demands for the resignation of (top) German politicians are not uncommon, and German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) can also sing a song about it.
Especially during the pandemic, he had to deal with many critics of his Corona measures. However, Lauterbach now shared a video on the X platform about Hamas’ war against Israel, which many people strongly disagreed with.
The message has since been deleted, but the criticism has not stopped. Lauterbach has not published a statement about this (as of November 13, 10 a.m.).
The interview
The video, currently making the rounds, is an interview on British broadcaster TalkTV with publicist Douglas Murray, who is currently in Israel. TV presenter Piers Morgan spoke in it at the end of the approximately 30 minute interview with Murray on Hamas terror. Morgan asks Murray if he thinks all Palestinians are equally responsible for the war. This one answers:
I’m not necessarily in favor of collective punishment, but what’s happening here isn’t unique either.
After a brief interjection from Morgan, Murray continues:
The comparison between Hamas and the Nazis is inadequate.
He can no longer explain what exactly he means by this, because at this moment the interview has to be interrupted because rockets are probably flying over Israel. As things continue, Murray says:
But Hamas is at least as barbaric as the Nazis. Because they kill with joy and pride and show it. (…) The Nazis tried to hide their crimes. But Hamas is proud of it. And they say they will continue until the entire world is cleansed of Jews. We have to take this seriously.
Hamas terror: Journalist makes perfidious Holocaust comparison in interview
The video was initially well received in Germany. For example, the Minister of Education of Schleswig-Holstein, Karin Prien (CDU), wrote: “Watch and listen”. German economist Veronika Grimm also shared the interview with the words “Really great”.
German journalist Jan Fleischhauer wrote: “This is great. From both sides. Something like that would be unthinkable on German television.» And Lauterbach also took a similar approach with his tweet.
He shared the video and said:
Despite the restrictions that Lauterbach makes in his recommendation, sharp criticism will not be long in coming. The call for resignation is – again – loud.
Because: In the interview, Murray compares the terror of Hamas with the actions of the SS during the Holocaust.
Holocaust comparison: historian classifies interview
Numerous scientists have now firmly contradicted the statements in the video. The historian Jürgen Zimmerer recalled the brutal SS crimes:
There are hundreds of photos of SS men and soldiers posing in front of corpses. Some had made lampshades from the tattooed skin of murdered Jewish women. But when an Islamophobic right-wing radical says he is ashamed, everyone applauds. #EnlightenIslamophobia
— Juergen Zimmerer @juergenzimmerer.bsky.social (@JuergenZimmerer) November 12, 2023
Former left-wing politician Fabio De Masi asked: “Karl, have you lost a bicycle?” Because Lauterbach had ‘lost all political compass’, he called for his resignation.
De Masi calls for an investigation into Lauterbach’s statements
While journalist Jan Fleischhauer published a statement shortly afterwards apologizing for recommending the video, Karl Lauterbach simply deleted his tweet. This approach was recognized by De Masi in the words:
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
