Germany’s state of Hesse is considering a law that could make denying Israel’s ‘right to exist’ punishable by up to five years in prison. The proposal would specifically target slogans like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ and maps that omit Israel, treating them as potential criminal offences.
Hesse’s leader, Boris Rhein, said: ‘Those who deny Israel’s right to exist are attacking Jewish life. Those who attack Jewish life are attacking our free and democratic order’.
The proposal (announced on Sunday) could further restrict pro-Palestinian expression and blur the line between antisemitism and political criticism of Israel, especially as Germany already faces debate over limits on speech related to Palestine solidarity activism.
