Israel Expresses Concern as Far-Right AfD Wins Historic German State Election
Israel's Ambassador Ron Prosor warned of tangible threats to Jewish life in Germany following a historic far-right AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt, which Chancellor Friedrich Merz called his party's greatest defeat.
Israel is closely monitoring the dramatic political developments in Germany following an unprecedented electoral shift. Israel's Ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, expressed deep concern over the rising political extremism on both sides of the spectrum, stating in an interview with Kan News that he is "anxious about Jewish life here, which is under a tangible threat." Prosor emphasized that concrete measures are urgently needed to combat incitement against Jews.
In contrast, Petr Bystron, a prominent member of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, sought to present a different perspective on his party's stance toward Israel. Speaking to Kan News, Bystron asserted:
"We stand firmly alongside Israel. We are the only party that opposes militant Islam and movements like Hezbollah."
However, when pressed on whether the AfD would guarantee that funding for Holocaust education would remain untouched and that curriculum content would not be altered, Bystron evaded a direct answer, stating: "You are asking questions that cannot be answered. I can promise that we will do exactly what we promised our voters, and we are loyal to the German people."
Historic Far-Right Victory in Saxony-Anhalt
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed the election results in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD achieved an unprecedented victory. The far-right party secured 44.5% of the vote, more than doubling its previous performance in 2021, when it won 20.8%.
According to a report by Kan 11, Chancellor Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) suffered a severe defeat, collapsing to just 18.5% of the vote compared to 37.1% in the previous election. This marks a historic turning point: for the first time since the fall of the Nazi regime at the end of World War II, a far-right party has finished first in a German state election.
Chancellor Merz Admits Shock and Responsibility
Chancellor Merz did not hide his shock at the outcome. Speaking at a party press conference, he stated:
"We are in shock, and I bear personal responsibility. The country needs fundamental reforms."
Merz admitted he did not anticipate such a result but stressed that the voters' decision must be respected. He characterized the outcome as the "greatest defeat" for his party in decades and warned that the election could have international repercussions.
The AfD's historic achievement has sparked widespread outrage and concern across Germany, particularly due to the party's controversial stances on immigration, Germany's Nazi past, and relations with Israel. The result thrusts the challenge of rising far-right extremism back to the center of public debate in a nation where Holocaust remembrance is a foundational pillar of national identity. Chancellor Merz now faces immense political pressure to address the AfD's surge as Germany enters a complex and highly volatile political era.
