Former German MP of Syrian Origins Jamal Qarisly on Antisemitism in Germany

The following are excerpts from an interview with Jamal Qarisli. Qarisli was presented on Syrian TV as a "former member of the German parliament," but in fact, he was not a member of the Bundestag but of one of the Landes. The interview was aired on June 27,2005

Host: Your book A Polemic on Antisemitism has aroused great controversy and it was translated into several languages. Tell us about this book. I have read its draft, but…

Qarisli: This is the book's second edition. Actually, I gave it a new name. In Arabic it's called "Germany: Between the Guilt Complex and Fear".

Through this book, I'd like the book to show the world what is the role of the Zionist lobby in Germany, and how it controls the decision making there.

In German this book has a different title: A Muzzle on German mouths, because the Germans can't express their opinions, and when you talk to them, the keep looking left and right, and if someone is around, they do not talk about this. Many politicians and officials believe that discussing this subject is like walking into a minefield. So they avoid this subject.

Host:But you knew it was a minefield when you knocked on this door.

Qarisli: Yes, but only there was no other way but walking through this minefield. So I walked through it and it has brought me to a place where the double standards are evident.

Host: Didn't you fear you would end up like your colleague Jurgen Mollemann?

Qarisli: Of course I did, and to be honest, I still do. But I ask: Until when? Until when are we going bend to kneel down? Until when will we refrain from presenting our just case to this society? Until when will we remain silent in the face of the Jenin massacres, or the crimes perpetrated every day in occupied Palestine? This is why I really have no choice but to walk through this minefield.

Host: What's the connection between your book and the book by Finkelman (sic), The Holocaust Industry?

Qarisli: I didn't refer to the Holocaust industry. I took a different approach. I wanted to show the reader unfamiliar with the subject how Germany is being exploited, how German History is being exploited, how Germany is being blackmailed, how pressure is exerted on German society and politics in order to blackmail them.

We can see what happened in recent months. Israel demanded from Germany submarines carrying nuclear warheads, without paying for them. In 1999, they took two submarines without paying for them. In 2000, they took another one.

Host: The "Dolphin"…

Qarisli: The "Dolphin", which is the best of its kind. I wanted to show the world…

Host: that the blackmailing process has continued since the end of the war.

Qarisli: It continues, and I wanted…

Host: ...and it is based on myths.

Qarisli: Yes.