I24NEWS

JewGida: A Jewish anti-Islamization group “fighting the radicalization of PEGIDA” (sic)

It’s part of the most hated political group in Germany. Despised by both left and right-wing activists, feared by Muslims and not understood by the Jewish community, the members of JewGida stand alone, regarding themselves as the first line of defense against Islamization and the radicalization of its opponents.

“Our true motivation is the protection of Jewish life in Germany,” the members of the Jewish Pegida cell insist despite being labeled as racists and even Judo-Nazis. “The contrary is true – we are the guards against Nazis, at the expense of our own safety.”

JewGida started its activity last year as a Facebook group, with the declared purpose of opposing both anti-Semitism and Islamization, which “go hand in hand,” according to the group’s description.

“There’s a new wave of anti-Semitism in Germany and it’s in large part imported, specifically by Muslim immigrants,” explained one of the most active members, a German with Jewish roots, who identified himself only as Michael out of fear for his own safety. He learned of the group from a friend and became a regular at the weekly demonstrations of Berlin’s PEGIDA chapter, BÄRGIDA.

JewGida now includes about 150 activists from all over Germany, including pro-Israeli non-Jews, but only few of them are active outside the virtual sphere.

That handful participates in various activities, from handing out notes saying “thou shalt not kill” in predominantly Muslim areas, to caring for the memorial for a young Israeli murdered in Berlin in early April, which gets vandalized regularly.

“We are not against Muslims or their rights,” emphasized Michael. “We just don’t want Islam to become part of our judicial and social systems. Muslims are the only minority which demands more and more rights, but just because they are the loudest, doesn’t mean they should be allowed to molest others with their believes. They are free to practice their religion at home, but you can’t move to a different country and expect that society to adapt to you. The amount of concessions made for them is already frightening.”

“We are not Islamophobes,” insisted Sam Inayat-Chisti, another key activist. “Islamophobia is an irrational fear, but I’m not afraid – I’m concerned, and what concerns me is the Muslim stated desire to conquer, either by sword – which wouldn’t work in Europe – or by winning over hearts and minds. So they intentionally deceive the Europeans and blind them to their hidden agenda, to their own detriment. We want to free Germany from the politics of appeasement towards Islam.”

Sam, a 60-year-old American Jew living in Germany for the past 26 years, was inspired to get involved following a speech of an Israeli activist, Rotem Avituv, at a Pegida demonstration in Frankfurt in January. Avituv, who was later criticized severely in Israel for “pardoning the Germans,” called on his listeners to save their country from Islam.

Sam, who refers to Avituv as his pioneer, believes his appearance – as does the work of JewGida – has the potential to be more effective. “Jews can say things Germans can’t. If a German would say that, he would be called a Nazi. But if a Jew does that – people might listen.”

This fact also didn’t escape the attention of more radical PEGIDA activists, and left many JewGida members fearing they might be exploited for the benefit of their far right agenda.

“While the real Nazis would prefer to see us gone, there are medium-Nazis who want to use us and say, ‘look, we aren’t extremists, we even have Jews here’, and that’s disgusting,” stressed Michael. “I don’t want to be a tool in their hands. Some of them even tried to infiltrate the group, but we are always able to spot them.”

Sam, on his part, doesn’t view instrumentalization as something necessarily negative – depending on the agenda it serves. “I can instrumentalize myself and use my Jewish identity to convey my message, but that’s my choice.”

Until now, he attended all of the PEGIDA demonstrations with a Kippa, a visible Star of David necklace, an anti-Sharia T-shirt, and accompanied by friends carrying the Israeli flag. “I get looks but I have a thick skin,” he assured. “You don’t want to see Jews? Here, deal with that.”

Yet even he admits it’s a futile fight. “The radicalization of BÄRGIDA is already happening, the Nazis are in and they will take over eventually,” he noted. “The chief organizer of BÄRGIDA attended several NPD events and is perfectly happy to be among Nazis, but there are some people who are still trying to fight it and we will stand by them for as long as we can.”

Others are less determined. Michael swore to stay away from BÄRGIDA demonstrations after spotting an official of the far right NPD ​party at a recent event.

“Maybe joining PEGIDA protests in the first place was a mistake,” he noted in retrospect. “It was ridiculous to think we could stop them just with our presence, but for a while it seemed that we did – the Nazis were either gone or remained quiet. Now perhaps the PEGIDA critics are finally right.”

Nevertheless, he is still convinced of the righteousness of PEGIDA’s cause.

“We are the majority. Most people would like to raise the same questions we do, but they are too afraid. There’s no room in Germany for people who are neither left-wing nor far right. Everyone who is not totally pro-Islam and loves immigration, is now a Nazi. How can a peaceful normal person can be compared to a Nazi just because he’s critical? This word is being over-used and that’s ridiculing the victims.”

He finds the term Judo-Nazi particularly hurtful.

“I, and others in our group, have lost family members in the Holocaust, so how can you call us Nazis? Why would we single out people after that happened to our grandparents?” he wondered, recalling the reactions they receive. “I didn’t expected anything else from the right or the left, but I thought that at least the Jewish community would try to understand our motives, and that disappoints me the most. We are trying to protect them and we pay a high price for this.”

Officially, the Jewish organizations of Germany oppose PEGIDA, fearing that its members might turn against Jews once they’re done with the Muslims.

Michael treats this concern with understanding, while Sam is more skeptical: “I don’t think the chances of Jews being targeted are greater now because of PEGIDA.”

“But regardless, I didn’t expect the support of the Jewish officials. It’s shameful how the Central Jewish Council is appeasing the Muslims and just kissing their ass. I don’t think they should say ‘kill them all’, but buddying up with them and refusing to see the true nature of Islam – that’s not Kosher.”

“But regardless, I didn’t expect the support of the Jewish officials. It’s shameful how the Central Jewish Council is appeasing the Muslims and just kissing their ass. I don’t think they should say ‘kill them all’, but buddying up with them and refusing to see the true nature of Islam – that’s not Kosher.”