The collapse of the government, just nine months before parliamentary elections had been scheduled, was an extraordinary moment for Germany. The elections, now expected on Feb. 23, will be only the fourth snap election in the 75 years since the modern state was founded, reflecting a new era of more fractious and unstable politics in a country long known for durable coalitions built on plodding consensus.
Archiv: unübliche Aktivität (Parlamente / -Verfassungsgerichte / -Gewerkschaften / sonstige Leichenschauhäuser) / unusual activity (parliaments / constitutional courts / unions / other
Germany’s Coalition Collapses, Leaving the Government Teetering
Mr. Scholz vowed to keep governing until the end of the year and then to demand a confidence vote in Parliament in January, a test he may fail. That would open the way for early elections, a rarity in Germany since World War II, possibly in March.
Ende der Ampelkoalition: „Über Nacht in den Wahlkampfmodus“
…Als Politikwissenschaftlerin kann man natürlich nicht geheim halten, dass das alles hochinteressant und spannend ist und man sich darüber freut, das beobachten zu können. Als Bürgerin des Landes gebe ich aber auch offen zu, dass das bewegende Zeiten sind und weitreichende Zeiten, und insofern ist es ein gemischtes Gefühl, mit dem man auf das schaut und sich schon fragt, wenn wir in den USA gestern früh anfangen und hier in Deutschland, in Berlin gestern Abend enden, was so an einem einzigen Tag alles an Bewegungen stattfinden kann und uns jetzt über Monate, womöglich Jahre beschäftigen wird. …
Waffenlieferungen an Israel stoppen
(October 11, 2024)
Mehr als 40 000 Menschen wurden im Gazastreifen durch die israelischen Sicherheitskräfte getötet, rund 70 Prozent davon waren Frauen und Kinder. Der Gazastreifen wurde in Schutt und Asche gelegt und gezielt unbewohnbar gemacht. Es wird versucht, die palästinensische Bevölkerung zu vertreiben. Das dürfen Demokraten niemals akzeptieren.
(Beifall beim BSW sowie der Abg. Nicole Gohlke (Die Linke))
Der Internationale Gerichtshof ermittelt wegen des Völkermordes gegen Israel. Und auch die Bundesregierung steht wegen Beihilfe zum Völkermord durch die umfangreichen Waffenlieferungen an Israel am Pranger.
(Andrea Lindholz (CDU/CSU): Unerträglich, ehrlich! – Gitta Connemann (CDU/CSU): Das ist eine Täter-Opfer-Umkehr!)
Mit Ihrer Ankündigung gerade, Herr Bundeskanzler Scholz, erneut Waffen nach Israel liefern zu wollen, setzen Sie Deutschland wieder mit auf die Anklagebank des IGH.
(Christian Dürr (FDP): Unglaublich! – Britta Haßelmann (BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN), an die CDU/CSU gewandt: Ihr Koalitionspartner in Thüringen und in Sachsen!)
Deutschland weitet Rüstungsexporte nach Israel aus
Laut Auswärtigem Amt wurden seit August Ausfuhren im Wert von 94,05 Millionen genehmigt. (…)
Die neue Zahl geht aus einer Antwort des Auswärtigen Amts auf eine Anfrage der BSW-Abgeordneten Sevim Dagdelen hervor, die der Nachrichtenagentur dpa vorliegt.
German arms exports to Israel increase, contradicting government reports
Germany‘s arms exports to Israel are much higher than the government said they were, with new numbers showing the government approved exports worth €94 million since August alone.
Last week, Berlin said it had approved €45 million worth of arms exports to Israel for the entire year up to 13 October — a significantly lower sum than before, all amid rumours that the government had stopped approving arms export permits altogether.
The new numbers were made available in response to a query from an MP of the left-wing nationalist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW).
„Vorwürfe wie Putin-Versteher ziehen immer weniger“ – Impressionen von der Friedensdemonstration am 3. Oktober
Von einer „Revitalisierung der Friedensbewegung“ spricht Reiner Braun vom zehnköpfigen Organisationsteam der Demonstration an der Siegessäule in seiner Rede. Der Blick über die dichtgedrängten Menschenmassen, darunter viele junge Leute, lassen diese Aussage realistisch erscheinen. Eine Reportage von Ramon Schack.
Großdemo in Berlin: Bündnis „Nie wieder Krieg“ protestiert gegen Waffenlieferungen
Mehrere Tausend Menschen haben am Tag der Deutschen Einheit in #Berlin an einem #Sternmarsch für den #Frieden teilgenommen. Sie demonstrierten u.a. gegen die militärische Unterstützung von Israel und der Ukraine und gegen die Stationierung von US-Mittelstreckenraketen in Deutschland. Außerdem forderten sie das Ende des Gaza-Kriegs. Die Initiatoren sprachen von rund 42.000 Teilnehmenden, die Polizei von einer „unteren fünfstelligen Teilnehmerzahl“.
Iraq requests urgent Arab League meeting on Lebanon
Qahtan Al-Janabi, Iraq’s permanent representative to the League, told the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) yesterday: “Iraq has requested an urgent meeting at the level of permanent representatives in the Arab League.”
“The meeting will address the situation in Lebanon, particularly concerning the displaced and refugees, and providing assistance to the country.”
Earlier yesterday, the Ministry of Migration announced that 144 Lebanese citizens had entered Iraq via the Al-Qa’im border crossing with Syria, including some wounded.
Eklat im Thüringer Landtag – Verfassungsrechtler Brenner: Treutler hat Kompetenz eines Alterspräsidenten überschritten
Nun, es stehen sich eigentlich zwei unterschiedliche Rechtsauffassungen gegenüber. Die AfD ist der Auffassung, dass die Geschäftsordnung des alten Landtages weiter gilt. Und sie vertritt die Auffassung, dass, bevor ein Landtagspräsident gewählt werden kann, zunächst einmal darüber befunden werden muss. Sie sagt also: Der Landtagspräsident kann erst gewählt werden, wenn der Landtag sich konstituiert hat.
Die Auffassung der anderen Fraktionen geht dahin, dass es das Selbstverwaltungsrecht des Parlamentes ist, sich jederzeit selbst verwalten zu können, selbst organisieren zu können. Und das schließt auch das Recht ein, Anträge zur Änderung der Geschäftsordnung einzubringen, über die heute nicht abgestimmt werden durfte.
Eklat im neuen Thüringer Landtag
In der ersten Sitzung des Thüringer Landtags sollte eigentlich ein Landtagspräsident gewählt werden. Stattdessen stand der Alterspräsidenten von der AfD und seine Sitzungsleitung im Mittelpunkt.
NEWS: Sanders and Colleagues Move to Block Arms Sales to Israel
The Senate will vote on these resolutions when it reconvenes in November. Let me explain why these arms sales must not proceed.
Israel clearly had the right to respond to Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on October 7th, which killed 1,200 innocent Israelis and took hundreds of hostages. But Prime Minister Netanyahu’s extremist government has not simply waged war against Hamas. It has waged all-out war against the Palestinian people, killing more than 41,000 Palestinians and injuring more than 95,000 – 60 percent of whom are women, children, or elderly people. Netanyahu has bombed hospitals and schools, starved children, destroyed infrastructure and housing stock, and made life unlivable in Gaza. The United States must end its complicity in this atrocity.
Sending more weapons is not only immoral, it is also illegal. The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act lay out clear requirements for the use of American weaponry – Israel has egregiously violated those rules.
Sanders Unveils Resolutions to Block US Arms Sales as Israel Rejects Cease-Fire Call
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and a pair of his Senate colleagues on Wednesday formally introduced resolutions aimed at blocking a series of proposed arms sales to the Israeli government as it bombards Gaza and Lebanon, deepening humanitarian crises there and pushing the region to the brink of all-out war.
The six Joint Resolutions of Disapproval, five of which were backed by Sens. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), would together prevent the sale of $20 billion of U.S. weaponry to Israel. The Biden administration approved the massive sale of Joint Direct Attack Munitions, tank ammunition, F-15 fighter jets, and other military equipment last month.
AN OPEN LETTER TO SAG-AFTRA AND SISTER GUILD LEADERSHIP
To Our Guild Leadership and Staff:
We are proud rank-and-file union and trade association members from every corner of our industry — working on screen, stage, set, and in the field — united in solidarity with the global call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and a just, lasting peace. As artists and storytellers, we cannot stand idly by as our industry refuses to tell the story of Palestinian humanity.
Following SAG-AFTRA’s statement in sympathy with Israel regarding October 7, many SAG-AFTRA and sister guild members have watched in horror as the Israeli government wages a war of collective punishment on the civilian population of Gaza — killing over 40,000 Palestinians, injuring over 90,000 more, forcibly displacing 2 million people, and openly targeting members of the press and their families. As the IDF continues its assault on “safe zones,” schools, and hospitals, and as civilians in Gaza die from starvation, dehydration, and lack of medical supplies and fuel, major human rights groups have labeled these acts as war crimes, human rights atrocities, and even genocide. The UN has described Gaza as a “graveyard for children” — and estimate that by mid-July “half of the population — more than a million people — could face death and starvation.” As of now, there is no end in sight — only escalation, death, and destruction.
Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef and More Call on SAG-AFTRA Leaders to Protect Pro-Palestine Members From Being Blacklisted (Exclusive)
SAG-AFTRA members Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef, Susan Sarandon, Melissa Barrera and Cynthia Nixon are among the hundreds of union members calling on their organization’s leadership to keep people from being blacklisted for their views on Palestine.
In a statement provided with an open letter from organization SAG-AFTRA and Sister Guild Members for Ceasefire, members claim their numerous attempts to communicate with leadership about their concerns and work on a ceasefire statement together have been consistently ignored. When asked, SAG-AFTRA declined to comment on the claim or the letter.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken And United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy Joint Press Availability
QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Secretary, Mr. Foreign Secretary. Secretary Blinken, could I ask you about a couple of aspects on the Middle East? The Israel Defense Forces just a moment ago released an investigation, or released a preliminary – some preliminary findings to the death of an American citizen, Ms. Aysenur Eygi. Could you say – they said that she was killed most likely by Israeli fire, but unintentionally. Are you confident of that assessment? Does the United States want to see anything further? Are you confident with the assessment that this was unintentional, and what more do you want Israel to do? Could there be repercussions?
For both of you, could I ask you about the International Criminal Court? The – it seems that in the coming days there could be a formal decision on whether to seek an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Netanyahu, among others. Mr. Foreign Secretary, the Labor government, of course, has taken a slightly different stance from your predecessors, from the Conservatives, on this. Could you say what your position is, whether you support going ahead? And is there unity between the two allies on this? Thank you.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Shaun, thank you very much. With regard to the tragic killing of Aysenur, I think what we saw of this investigation is it seems to show what eyewitnesses have said and made clear: that her killing was both unprovoked and unjustified. No one – no one – should be shot and killed for attending a protest. No one should have to put their life at risk just for freely expressing their views.
In our judgment, Israeli security forces need to make some fundamental changes in the way that they operate in the West Bank, including changes to their rules of engagement. We’ve long seen reports of the security forces looking the other way when extremist settlers use violence against Palestinians. We’ve seen reports of excessive force by Israeli security forces against Palestinians. And now we have the second American citizen killed at the hands of Israeli security forces. It’s not acceptable. It has to change. And we’ll be making that clear to the senior-most members of the Israeli Government.
Now, we’re looking carefully at the results of this investigation, but even on an initial read and even accepting it at face value, it’s clear that there are serious issues that need to be dealt with. And we will insist that they be dealt with.
FOREIGN SECRETARY LAMMY: I think the important thing to stress in great democracies such as ours is our belief in the separation of powers. There is an important forum for lawyers and the judiciary and our courts, and then there is also an important forum for politicians and those who represent the people.
We’ve always been clear in the UK in our belief in the international rule of law, the rules-based order, and in IHL issues which are fundamentally important. And we took a decision last week in relation to arms exports that were quasi-legal on the basis of our law as they stand. We believe in international law, we believe in the Statute of Rome, but these must be decisions for the international courts to determine. I don’t want to comment on the assessment that they will reach. I’m qualified as a lawyer in part because of the great Harvard Law School. But I’m going to leave it to the lawyers to determine these very complex matters.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you.
FOREIGN SECRETARY LAMMY: Thanks a lot.
Blinken slams Israel after IDF says its forces likely shot slain American activist
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has called for “fundamental changes” to the way Israeli forces operate in the occupied West Bank after the killing of American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi at a protest last week.
Blinken’s sharply worded rebuke came after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday that it was “highly likely” that Eygi was “hit indirectly and unintentionally by IDF fire.”
UK: Independent pro-Gaza MPs announce formal alliance as parliamentary group
Corbyn told Middle East Eye on Monday: „We were elected to Parliament to represent our communities – and today‘s announcement is about making sure their demands are properly represented.
„A collective voice is a stronger voice. We will ensure the government knows the true scale of public disgust over its continued, shameful refusal to end arms sales to Israel.
How to watch the eastern German elections like a pro
BERLIN — Populist parties on the far-right and far-left ends of the political spectrum are expected to surge in regional elections to be held in eastern Germany this Sunday. If the current forecasts are borne out, the result on Sunday will send political shockwaves across Germany and illustrate the degree to which voters in the east of the country are rebelling against mainstream political parties.
Pro-Palestinian protests sweep Europe
German police broke up a protest by between sixty and eighty pro-Palestinian activists who had occupied a courtyard on Freie Universität Berlin’s campus on Tuesday, May 7.
“An occupation is not acceptable on the FU Berlin campus,” university president Guenter Ziegler said.
Wahl für neue Berliner SPD-Parteispitze: Landeschef Saleh ist aus dem Rennen
Saleh hat die Politik der SPD in den vergangenen Jahren maßgeblich gestaltet und die Partei auch in das schwarz-rote Bündnis geführt.
Die SPD-Mitglieder hätten gegen eine „Weiter so“ entschieden, kommentierte Hikel das Ergebnis am Samstag. Das Ergebnis sei ein Einschnitt und bringe die Partei in eine „neue Ära der Sozialdemokratie“. Ähnlich äußerte sich seine Co-Bewerberin Böcker-Giannini, die an die Einigkeit der Partei appellierte. (…)
So stellten Hikel und Böcker-Giannini etwa das kostenlose Kita-Essen für alle Kinder infrage, Niroomand und Bertels sprachen sich hier gegen Änderungen aus.
SPD Berlin Mitgliederbefragung zum Landesvorsitz
Drei Kandidat*innen-Teams nahmen im ersten Wahlgang an der Mitgliederbefragung teil:
Jana Bertels und Kian Niroomand: 3020 Stimmen (36,11%)
Nicola Böcker-Giannini und Martin Hikel: 4034 Stimmen (48,24%)
Luise Lehmann und Raed Saleh: 1309 Stimmen (15,65%)
Damit kommt es zu einer Stichwahl zwischen den beiden bestplatzierten Teams.
Deutschrussen in Untersuchungshaft: „Agententätigkeit für Putins Verbrecher-Regime“
Kiesewetter sprach sich auch dafür aus, „extremistische Bereiche“ in den Blick zu nehmen. Konkret nannte er „AfD-Sympathisanten, die sich Russland freiwillig andienen“ sowie deutsche Kämpfer bei russischen Söldner-Truppen oder anderen russischen Kampftruppen, die nach Deutschland zurückkehrten.
U.S. allows U.N. cease-fire vote, but it’s too late for many in Gaza
We are already halfway through Ramadan, a month-long holy period marked by pronounced grief and suffering in the Palestinian territories. The Israeli campaign in Gaza has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians, including many women and children, forced the overwhelming majority of people in Gaza to flee their homes and plunged more than half of Gaza’s population into a de facto famine. Small children are dying of malnutrition in what U.N. officials describe to be the broadest and most severe food crisis in the world.
WATCH: UNSC Chamber Bursts Into Applause As Gaza Ceasefire Resolution Is Adopted | Dawn News English
Amid growing global pressure for a truce in the fighting that has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians, the US abstained from the vote to allow the Security Council to demand an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramazan, which ends in two weeks.
It also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
Gaza: UN Security Council demands ‚immediate‘ ceasefire for first time, US abstains
(25.03.2024)
After more than five months of war in Gaza, the UN Security Council for the first time on Monday, March 25, demanded an immediate ceasefire after the United States, Israel‘s ally which vetoed previous draft resolutions, abstained. Drawing unusual applause in the often staid Security Council, all 14 other members voted in favor of the resolution which „demands an immediate ceasefire“ for the ongoing Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Regierungserklärung von Scholz: „Russland ist nicht so stark, wie man denkt“
Dem SPD-Fraktionschef Rolf Mützenich warf Merz wegen seiner These vom Einfrieren des Krieges indirekt Feigheit vor: „Friedfertigkeit kann das Gegenteil von Frieden bewirken.“ Mit Blick auf Kremlchef Wladimir Putin ergänzte er: „Einem solchen skrupellosen Kriegsverbrecher kann man nicht mit Feigheit begegnen, sondern nur mit Klarheit und Entschlossenheit.“
Geheimnisverrat-Vorwurf: 105 Personen bei Taurus-Sitzung
Die «Rheinische Post» beruft sich dabei auf einen Brief der Ausschussvorsitzenden Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP) an Bundestagspräsidentin Bärbel Bas (SPD). Darin heißt es demnach, an der fraglichen Sitzung hätten insgesamt etwa 105 Personen teilgenommen, «darunter zahlreiche Vertreterinnen und Vertreter der Bundesregierung und der Landesvertretungen».
«Es ist also nicht zwingend, dass die Informationsweitergabe aus dem parlamentarischen Raum erfolgt ist», schreibt die FDP-Politikerin demnach weiter. Sie bittet Bas, eine Ermächtigung zur Strafverfolgung wegen Verletzung des Dienstgeheimnisses und einer besonderen Geheimhaltungspflicht zu erteilen.
Schumer said out loud what many of Israel’s friends are thinking
“I spent two months thinking about this and wrestling with it,” Schumer told me in an interview Friday. Far from being an attack on Israel, Schumer said, it was an attempt to shore up support for the Jewish state, particularly among young Americans who have known Israel only under Netanyahu’s leadership.
Biden Embraces Schumer’s Speech Castigating Netanyahu
(15.03.2024)
But sometimes in Washington, the most telling indicator is not a public statement but the absence of one. Mr. Biden could have asked Mr. Schumer to hold back, so that he did not endanger the president’s future ability to deal with Mr. Netanyahu, with whom he now barely speaks. He could have said the United States should not express an opinion on the inner workings of Israel’s democratic processes. He did none of that.
Lawmakers and aides who have spoken with Mr. Biden in recent weeks say his anger at Mr. Netanyahu is now eating away at his reluctance to go public with his critiques.
Biden backs Schumer‘s criticism of Bibi
What they are saying: „I‘m not going to elaborate on his speech,“ Biden said in response to a question at the top of his meeting with the prime minister of Ireland at the White House.
„He made a good speech, and I think he expressed serious concern shared not only by him, but by many Americans,“ Biden added.
Schumer‘s anti-Netanyahu speech stuns Israel
(14.03.2024)
Behind the scenes: Schumer told senior White House officials on Wednesday that he was going to give a speech about Israel, but he didn‘t give them a copy of the speech or ask for their permission, U.S. officials told Axios.
(…)
„I don‘t know if people in Israel really understand how big of a step it is for him to do this,“ one U.S. official said.
Full speech: Sen. Schumer calls for new elections in Israel
(14.03.2024)
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., delivered an address on the Senate floor to call for a two-state solution amid the conflict in Gaza and new elections in Israel.
US-Senator Schumer fordert Neuwahl in Israel
Netanyahu sei „vom Weg abgekommen, indem er sein politisches Überleben über die besten Interessen Israels gestellt hat“. Die vom israelischen Regierungschef eingegangene Koalition mit weit rechts stehenden Extremisten habe zur Folge, dass Netanyahu „zu sehr bereit“ sei, „die zivilen Opfer im Gazastreifen zu tolerieren“. Dieses Handeln lasse die weltweite Unterstützung für Israel auf einen Tiefstand sinken. Das Land könne aber nicht überleben, wenn es zu einem „Paria“ – einem Ausgestoßenen – werde, warnte Schumer.
A speech that sent shockwaves from Washington to Jerusalem
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s warning that Israel risked becoming a “pariah” and his call for new elections marked a momentous moment in modern US-Israel relations.
Schumer calls for new elections in Israel, warns Netanyahu has ‚lost his way‘
(14.03.2024)
„As a lifelong supporter of Israel, it has become clear to me: The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7. The world has changed — radically — since then, and the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past,“ he said.
„At this critical juncture, I believe a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel, at a time when so many Israelis have lost their confidence in the vision and direction of their government,“ he said.
(…)
He also called for a two-state solution.
(…)
Schumer also called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to step aside.
„We will not be complicit in Israel’s grave violation of international law.“
(01.03.2024)
We, the undersigned parliamentarians, declare our commitment to end our nations’ arms sales to the State of Israel.
Our bombs and bullets must not be used to kill, maim, and dispossess Palestinians. But they are: we know that lethal weapons and their parts, made or shipped through our countries, currently aid the Israeli assault on Palestine that has claimed over 30,000 lives across Gaza and the West Bank.
We cannot wait. Following the interim ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Genocide Convention case against the State of Israel, an arms embargo has moved beyond a moral necessity to become a legal requirement.
We will not be complicit in Israel’s grave violation of international law. The ICJ ordered Israel not to kill, harm or “deliberately [inflict] on the [Palestinians] conditions of life calculated to bring about… physical destruction.” They have refused. Instead, they press on with a planned assault on Rafah that the Secretary General of the United Nations has warned will „exponentially increase what is already a humanitarian nightmare.“
Today, we take a stand. We will take immediate and coordinated action in our respective legislatures to stop our countries from arming Israel.
Signatories:
Just Two US Lawmakers Sign International Statement Demanding Arms Embargo on Israel
(02.03.2024)
The statement‘s signatories include legislators from Israel‘s top allies and weapons suppliers, including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Canada. Just two U.S. lawmakers—Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.)—backed the statement.
The statement includes six signatories from Germany, which is facing an International Court of Justice (ICJ) case alleging complicity in genocide against Palestinians.
The lawmakers argued that an arms embargo on Israel is both „a moral necessity“ and „a legal requirement,“ given the ICJ‘s interim ruling in late January.
200 Legislators from 13 Countries Oppose Arms Exports to Israel
(04.03.2024)
Amid the deadly war in Gaza, over 200 legislators from 11 countries unite to oppose their countries’ arms exports to Israel. In a declaration published by the Progressive International parliamentarians declared “our commitment to end our nations’ arms sales to the State of Israel.”
“Our bombs and bullets must not be used to kill, maim, and dispossess Palestinians. But they are: we know that lethal weapons and their parts, made or shipped through our countries, currently aid the Israeli assault on Palestine that has claimed over 30,000 lives across Gaza and the West Bank. We cannot wait. Following the interim ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Genocide Convention case against the State of Israel, an arms embargo has moved beyond a moral necessity to become a legal requirement.