This is part 1 of a 2-part conversation. Join myself and my panel of German/Germany related guests for a fascinating discussion about Wtaf is going on in Germany these days. My German guests include Ilyas who is a German Muslim, Claus who is a German that was raised with very right-wing views but has since shed them, and we also have John who has a Master’s degree in German Studies and lived there as an exchange student.

We discuss aspects of German identity, history, nationalism and the thinking behind some of the blind and bizarre support we see for Israel, the stifling of pro-Palestinian views, the perception of Arabs and foreigners in general, the treatment of left leaning Jewish people who are critical of Israel & more. ——All guests on the Aftershow are Patrons of the Polite Conversations. Truly amazing to get to chat with fascinating patrons of the show from all around the world. ——

If you enjoy the show and would like to access the full episode, pls subscribe via patreon.com/nicemangos

Links:

Thread about merge-gate which was briefly mentioned at the start of the episodehttps://x.com/nicemangos/status/1406646731933167619?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw

Allegations against Andrew Torres (Thomas Smith’s former co-host): https://x.com/nicemangos/status/1620956911561764865?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw

There were multiple people protecting, legitimizing and profiting from working with Andrew, they knew for years, but chose to do nothing and continued to profit. https://x.com/nicemangos/status/1755655557548069020?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw

In case u are unfamiliar with trump-voting ‘liberal muslim’ Asra Nomani, here’s a book she wrote https://x.com/ilyasibnkarim/status/1674447440785686530?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw

In Berlin, schoolchildren have been banned from wearing the scarf https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/11/keffiyeh-scarf-fashion-history-palestine

How Palestine became a Forbidden word in German Highschools https://www.972mag.com/germany-education-israel-narrative-palestinians/

Karl Lagerfeld calls refugees enemies of Jews https://www.dw.com/en/karl-lagerfeld-evokes-holocaust-to-bash-germanys-angela-merkel-on-refugees/a-41368478

Palestinian rights and the IHRA definition of antisemitism https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/nov/29/palestinian-rights-and-the-ihra-definition-of-antisemitism

Will Politico 's New Owner Allow Criticism of Israel? https://jewishcurrents.org/will-politicos-new-owner-employ-journalists-who-criticize-israel

A clampdown on the arts in Germany https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/07/arts/design/germany-arts-cancellations-israel-palestinians.html

In Germany, a Witch Hunt Is Raging Against Critics of Israel https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2020-12-10/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/in-germany-a-witch-hunt-rages-against-israel-critics-many-have-had-enough/0000017f-db0d-df0f-a17f-df4fa21b0000