PEN Berlin is appalled by the attack on the home of the Berlin Senator for Culture. Following the physical and verbal assault on Joe Chialo at the opening of a cultural festival last week, this violation of his privacy marks a further escalation. Not only are these assaults unacceptable, but so is the accusation sprayed on the wall of the house in blood-red paint that Chialo supports ‘genocide’.
In June, the Senator for Culture took part in a discussion at the Book Festival in Berlin, at an event hosted by PEN Berlin, with its spokesperson Deniz Yücel, among others. Once again, Yücel strongly criticised the ‘anti-Semitism clause’ that Chialo introduced at the end of last year and then withdrew after criticism from cultural workers and lawyers with expertise in constitutional law. Yücel also had doubts about attempts to present the clause in a modified form. They had a difference of opinion, and they argued it out. Fists and paint bombs aren’t arguments – and neither is defamatory slander.
»I think Joe Chialo’s efforts to tackle anti-Semitism in the right way are commendable, but I don’t always agree with his suggestions or the way he sees things,’ said Yücel. I appreciate his willingness to take on criticism and work with people in the cultural sector to find solutions.«
Yücel also warned against jumping to conclusions and saying that the attacks were a sign that there is hatred of Jews and Israel in the German cultural sector, as long as the police have not identified any suspects.
»Obviously, the Senator for Culture has become a hate figure in some circles because of his commitment to tackling anti-Semitism. Based on what we know so far, it seems more likely that the perpetrators are to be found in student circles with pro-Palestinian views than than in German cultural circles, where the anti-Israeli BDS movement hardly plays a role and who, contrary to what is often claimed, generally avoid one-sided views when it comes to Israel and Palestine.«
And again: We’re happy to have the debate with Joe Chialo on the most effective ways to fight anti-Semitism that align with German constitutional principles, artistic freedom and the ideals of a cosmopolitan approach. We can also discuss how to include moderate Palestinian voices in this discussion and avoid placing any criticism of the Netanyahu government under suspicion.
But when Joe Chialo is physically attacked, when even his family is affected, there is nothing to discuss here. We stand by his side.
PEN Berlin. We stand by our word.