Cover-up by the GEW
With this cancellation [...] the union fails to represent its mission in a democratic state according to the constitution and to grant freedom of expression
The GEW-Rhein-Neckar Heidelberg cancelled an event on "Child Labour in Palestine" with our member Dr Shir Hever. This was preceded by pressure exerted on the GEW by a state official, the antisemitism commissioner Dr Michael Blume. By cancelling the event, the union is failing to uphold its mandate in a democratic state under the constitution and to allow freedom of expression. Are the voices of Palestinian child workers to be silenced while the GEW gives voices to other children?
The GEW, as a German trade union, is acting against a Jewish person because he belongs to an organisation that supports BDS. The BDS call has been supported by several trade unions around the world, which are in solidarity with Palestinian trade unions and other Palestinian civil society organisations. Dr Michael Blume has arrogated to himself the sovereignty of judging who is a "real" Jew and who is a "fake" Jew. The fact that the Jewish Voice does not share his attitude is enough for this Christian rabbi to deny it a kosher certificate. That the GEW adopts this attitude, which is nothing short of antisemitic, is something we will not accept in silence.
Scandalous hush money
We regard the GEW’s condition that it will only pay Dr Shir Hever his fee in exchange for keeping quiet about this scandalous action as a betrayal of those in need. It not only seeks to take the rights of Palestinian children off the table, it also wants to conceal its censorship.
We ask the GEW: Among your members, there are teachers and students from all over the world; why do you discriminate against children because they are Palestinian and against a speaker because he is "the wrong Jew"?
Maybe the decision makers of the GEW-Rhein-Neckar Heidelberg should visit a "school without racism"?