“The pattern of argument and methods of the BDS movement are anti-Semitic,” the Bundestag resolution stated, before adding that BDS’ calls to boycott Israeli artists, and the “Don’t Buy” stickers applied to Israeli goods “recall the most terrible phase of German history.” The resolution also pledged not to financially support organizations that question Israel’s right to exist, projects that call for the boycott of Israel, or organizations that actively support BDS.

BERLIN—Germany  has condemned the anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Disinvestment,Sanctions) movement as antisemitic.

A resolution adopted Friday by a cross-party alliance of governing Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD), as well as the opposition Free Democrats and Greens , reads : “The arguments and methods of the BDS movement are antisemitic.’’ The ‘’ “Do not buy” labels affixed to Israeli merchandise are akin to the Nazi-era slogan “Do not buy from Jews”, which was painted on Jewish-owned shops, ‘’the resolution added.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party  brought its own alternative resolution, calling for an outright ban on BDS. The socialist Left party brought a milder resolution, calling for the condemnation of any anti-Semitic BDS statements

“The pattern of argument and methods of the BDS movement are anti-Semitic,” the Bundestag resolution stated, before adding that BDS’ calls to boycott Israeli artists, and the “Don’t Buy” stickers applied to Israeli goods “recall the most terrible phase of German history.” The resolution also pledged not to financially support organizations that question Israel’s right to exist, projects that call for the boycott of Israel, or organizations that actively support BDS.

Speaking in Friday’s debate on the issue, CDU Bundestag member Axel Müller reminded the parliament that upholding Israel’s right to exist remained a basic principle of the German state. He also claimed that BDS campaign’s social media accounts showed that it was occasionally influenced by the “propaganda of the [Nazi] dictatorship.”

“We hopefully remember the many hate-filled images from the Third Reich, where one could see signs with the writing, ‘Germans don’t buy from Jews’: a first step on the way to genocide,” he added.

Felix Klein, who was appointed last year by the government as Commissioner for anti-Semitism, welcomed the passing of the resolution by the Bundestag. ‘’We must oppose every form of anti-Semitism, even if it seems to be harmless,’’ he said, adding :  “The implementation of the aims of the BDS movement would call Israel’s right to exist into question.

World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder said: ”The German parliament has taken a welcome leading step today in approving this unprecedented motion, setting a strong example to other governments in Europe on contending with the funding for groups which call Israel’s right to exist into question and promote agendas which run contrary to European values and the quest for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.”

“While this particular motion in Germany is not legally binding, it is a moral gesture worthy of emulation, and we hope to see progress in the implementation of its aims going forward,” he added.