Since the massacre on October 7, 2023, Alternative for Germany (AfD) has increasingly presented itself as a pro-Israeli party. In statements and policy documents, it promotes itself as the only German party that advocates for Israeli interests and the protection of Jewish life in Germany.
This self-portrayal has attracted considerable international attention. Particularly in the United States, parts of Europe, and Israel, the AfD is increasingly perceived as a pro-Israeli actor – especially by right-wing nationalist and far-right extremists. In Germany, Jewish organisations and Israeli voices vehemently contradict this self-portrayal and point to anti-Semitic tendencies within in the AfD.
In fact, the AfD's ‘solidarity with Israel’ is primarily instrumental in nature. It serves in particular to legitimize hostility toward Muslims, attack political opponents, and distract attention from extreme right-wing, revisionist, and anti-religious positions.
Political education in particular is called upon to raise awareness of the incompatibility between the AfD's outwardly pro-Israel rhetoric and its inwardly discriminatory policies. Through education and critical debate, it can also highlight the purely instrumental nature of these positions internationally. Important allies in these efforts are established Jewish and pro-Israel actors and organizations in Germany, who can see through the ambiguity of AfD rhetoric and contextualise Israeli perceptions and positions.
