Klaus Lederer on 'Queers for Palestine': A Blind Hope?
Berlin's former culture senator Klaus Lederer explains the 'Queers for Palestine' phenomenon. He warns of blind spots within the left and discusses antisemitism in queer movements.
Why do queer people march alongside queer-hostile forces? Klaus Lederer raises this question. He was formerly Berlin's culture senator.
Lederer speaks of so-called 'salvation hope'. This means: Some people believe in great shared liberation. They think all oppressed groups fight together. Yet they overlook important differences.
The problem is complex. Palestinian organizations often pursue queer-hostile policies. Homosexuality is punishable in Gaza. Still, some queer activists show solidarity with these groups.
Lederer criticizes this blind spot within the left. He says: You cannot show solidarity with groups oppressing queer people. That is a contradiction.
The situation is especially difficult for Jewish queers. They experience double exclusion. On one hand, antisemitism exists in society. On the other, they sometimes feel unwelcome in queer spaces.
Lederer emphasizes: Antisemitism is a real problem in left and queer movements. We must openly name this problem. Silence helps nobody.
He speaks about these topics in Berlin's parliament. He demands more honesty in the debate. Queer solidarity cannot have limits—not even regarding antisemitism.
The 'Queers for Palestine' movement is internationally known. It emerged after Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023. Since then, it has sparked intense discussion. Critics say: It is paradoxical to support a regime persecuting queer people.
Lederer hopes for an honest discussion. The queer community must recognize its own contradictions. Only then can genuine solidarity emerge. Solidarity does not mean adopting all positions of a group.