German Politics in Turmoil Over Alleged Israeli Influence Scheme
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
The political landscape in Germany's Hesse state is shaken by allegations that Perception Media, linked to Sherulik Einhorn, worked for the CDU party, potentially involving Israeli ministers. WhatsApp messages suggest Einhorn and Netanyahu's advisor Yonatan Urikh coordinated a social media post praising an anti-antisemitism initiative by Hesse's CDU leader Boris Rhein, which was then echoed by Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli. Political parties in Hesse are demanding an investigation into potential funding, while the CDU branch denies any business ties. Far-right media have seized on the story as proof of Israeli political interference.
The story in 7 lines · by baba
- German state of Hesse faces political turmoil over alleged Israeli influence scheme involving Perception Media.
- WhatsApp messages suggest coordination between Sherulik Einhorn and Netanyahu's advisor Yonatan Urikh.
- Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli posted praise for an anti-antisemitism initiative by Hesse's Boris Rhein.
- Chikli reportedly admitted his post was dictated by Urikh.
- Parties in Hesse demand investigation into potential funding of the alleged scheme.
- CDU branch denies any business ties to Einhorn or Urikh.
- Far-right media cite the affair as evidence of Israeli political interference in Germany.
The political system in the German state of Hesse is in turmoil following allegations that Perception Media, a company linked to Sherulik Einhorn, may have engaged in work for the conservative CDU party, including the recruitment of an Israeli minister to improve its image. The claims are based on WhatsApp messages revealed by the German newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau. According to the report, Einhorn and Yonatan Urikh, an advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, discussed activating Israeli ministers to praise an anti-antisemitism initiative by Boris Rhein, the CDU leader in Hesse.
Einhorn reportedly wrote to Urikh in early September about "very profitable work with the CDU." The two then corresponded about the precise wording of a social media post concerning Rhein's proposal to make denying Israel's right to exist a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment. Shortly thereafter, a similar statement was published by Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli. The newspaper reported that Chikli later admitted the post was dictated to him by Urikh.
Chikli's statement read, "Denying Israel's right to exist is not legitimate criticism. It is one of the most common forms of antisemitism today: Jew-hatred disguised as opposition to Zionism. I commend Boris Rhein and the state of Hesse for their leadership in advancing legislation to combat this threat. I hope the Bundestag will adopt this proposal into law." The revelations have sparked sharp criticism within the state parliament, with the liberal FDP and Green parties demanding a comprehensive investigation into whether the Hesse CDU branch transferred funds to Einhorn or Perception Media. These parties, while supporting the anti-antisemitism initiative, want to know what measures, if any, were funded by the party or parliament to promote the initiative.
The Hesse CDU branch has denied any connection to Einhorn, Urikh, or the media company, stating there were "no business relationships" between them. Meanwhile, the affair is being cited on far-right websites as evidence of Israeli involvement in German politics. The anti-establishment news site AUF1, a platform for "Alternative for Germany" and the far-right, published a report questioning whether Netanyahu's advisors influenced public opinion regarding Israel in several European countries, noting it is unclear if money changed hands. The initiative concerning antisemitism was approved by the German Bundesrat last summer but was later stalled in parliament due to concerns it violated the German constitution and freedom of speech. Perception Media has not yet responded.