German AfD Politician Expresses Regret Over Past Remarks, Argues Antisemitism Now on the Left

Maximilian Krah, a prominent and controversial member of the German far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, visited Israel and expressed regret for past statements concerning Nazi SS members. Krah, currently a member of the Bundestag, caused international outcry in 2024 when he told an Italian newspaper that he would not automatically label all SS members as criminals. He clarified in an interview with Ynet Global that he considered the remark a "complete disaster" and "utterly stupid," explaining it was part of a broader discussion on personal responsibility for WWII crimes. He stated his intention was not to defend the SS, but acknowledged his handling of the question was a serious mistake.

The controversy had significant political repercussions, leading to Krah being barred from AfD campaign events for the European Parliament elections and his resignation from the party's federal committee. The incident also heightened tensions between the AfD and other European nationalist parties. Krah's visit to Israel occurs amid ongoing suspicion in the country towards the AfD due to statements by some of its politicians regarding Germany's Nazi past and Holocaust remembrance.

Krah acknowledged these concerns but argued that the AfD and the broader European right have changed. He presented the current AfD as fundamentally different from historical far-right antisemitic movements, asserting that hostility towards Israel and Jews is now increasingly found on the political left. He linked his party's opposition to mass immigration to a defense of Jewish communities, stating, "In the past, the European right took an antisemitic approach, but that is over. Antisemitism in Europe is a left-wing issue." He believes the Israeli public is discerning enough to recognize this shift.

Despite his efforts to shift the focus, Krah admitted the AfD struggles to convince Jews and Israelis of its current stance and needs to communicate its positions more effectively. He also addressed controversial remarks by senior AfD politician Björn Höcke, who called the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe a "monument of shame." Krah stated that such comments are unacceptable within the party today. He unequivocally affirmed that Germany must continue to bear responsibility for the Holocaust, but stressed that remembrance alone is insufficient for intergenerational relations, advocating for joint cultural and artistic projects.

Krah, visiting Israel for the first time in about 14 years, described the trip as an opportunity to reconnect with friends and revisit a country where he feels welcome. He noted he has not met with Israeli government officials, preferring to wait until after the upcoming Israeli elections. He suggested that the ideological gap between the AfD and Israeli society might appear larger from Germany than it does on the ground in Israel, considering himself center-right by Israeli standards. Krah's visit is part of an effort to counter the AfD's political isolation in Israel, and he intends to present his arguments directly to Israelis, suggesting German Jews could act as a bridge between the two nations.