La cancelación de un discurso del filósofo israelo-alemán Omri Boehm enrarece la conmemoración de la liberación de Buchenwald | Cultura | EL PAÍS

Cancellation of Omri Boehm's Speech

The planned speech by Israeli-German philosopher Omri Boehm at the 80th anniversary commemoration of Buchenwald's liberation was canceled due to pressure from the Israeli embassy in Berlin. The embassy accused Boehm of relativizing the Holocaust, and the Buchenwald Memorial of insulting victims' memory by inviting him.

Context and Controversy

The cancellation occurred amidst the backdrop of the Gaza war, accusations of genocide against Benjamin Netanyahu's government, and the ongoing weight of the Holocaust in contemporary Germany. The rise of antisemitism in Europe, including within the Muslim community, and the appropriation of the fight against antisemitism by the far-right also play a role.

• The Buchenwald Memorial director explained the cancellation was to protect survivors from being instrumentalized in the conflict.
• The incident reopens the debate about Germany's relationship with Israel and the repeated silencing of voices critical of Israel.

Boehm's Views and Accusations

Boehm, whose work critiques Israel's government and advocates for a binational state, has previously faced criticism for his views. The Israeli government's accusation is disputed by others, including philosopher Susan Neiman, who calls it a lie.

Further Implications

The cancellation, along with reported expulsions of pro-Palestinian activists in Berlin, highlights the complexities of balancing historical responsibility with present-day political realities. Boehm's focus remains on the commemoration ceremony proceeding without distractions.