Berlin Theater Collective Revives Satire on Antisemitism and Radicalization

The theater collective Amt für Darstellende Künste is restaging its satirical play, "There Is Only One Solution, Call the Polizei!," which addresses antisemitism, political hypocrisy, and radicalization. The production will be performed on November 22 and 29 in the Great Hall of the Neue Synagoge Berlin. The play centers on a shared apartment where the residents' political beliefs escalate into personal conflict. Loosely inspired by Molière's "Tartuffe," the performance transplants the themes of religious hypocrisy and manipulation to contemporary Berlin, exploring how hatred of Jews can be concealed behind progressive political stances and find societal acceptance under the guise of solidarity with Palestinians.

The narrative begins with Jasmina, a politically engaged student living with her boyfriend Manu in Charlottenburg. When Jasmina spontaneously invites the activist Jonathan to live with them, she sees it as a gesture of solidarity with Palestinians. The situation shifts dramatically when she discovers their housekeeper, Natalya, has family ties to Israel. As Jonathan's behavior becomes increasingly strange and mysterious events unfold in the apartment, Manu grows suspicious. Jasmina initially dismisses his concerns, but after another uninvited resident appears, she is forced to confront the meaning of slogans she had previously accepted, including the term "Intifada."

The collective describes the play as a satirical examination of radicalization following the October 7th attacks and the resurgence of age-old antisemitism, presented in a new guise. The production aims to illustrate how political catchphrases and emotional manipulation can make individuals susceptible to extremist viewpoints, with the call for a "Global Intifada" playing a role. The Amt für Darstellende Künste, founded in 2022, has previously tackled societal issues, including Reichsbürger movements, conspiracy theories, and antisemitic myths in its first production, followed by plays on millennial parenthood and individuals with incarceration experience.

Audience reactions have been strong, with one visitor noting the play holds "a mirror to society's own mendacity." Another praised the blend of entertainment and political reflection as an "entertaining and thought-provoking evening." The actors' performances and frequent role changes were also highlighted, as was the lasting impact of the discussions the play generated. The approximately 90-minute production is performed in German and is supported by the Jewish Community of Berlin, aMensch e.V., the Central Council of Jews, and the Amadeu Antonio Foundation.