politics
German Upper House Approves Bill to Criminalize Denial of Israel's Right to Exist, Pending Lower-House Vote
zerohedge.com reported that Germany's Bundesrat approved a bill making public denial of Israel's right to exist or calls for its abolition a crime punishable by up to five years in prison. The measure expands Section 130 of the criminal code and advances to the lower house. Critics inside government and Amnesty International warned it violates constitutional free speech protections.
Jul 14, 2:45 AM·1m read1 source
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Germany's upper house of parliament approved a bill that would criminalize publicly denying Israel's right to exist or calling for its abolition. A conviction would carry a penalty of up to five years in prison. The legislation expands Germany's existing Section 130 of the criminal code, which authorities currently use to prosecute Holocaust denial.
If passed by the lower house, the law would make Germany the first country in Europe to punish such speech. Dissenters within the German government warned that the expansion would violate the constitution by creating a special right against a specific opinion in breach of Article 5.
The Bundestag's research service stated in a report that both the rejection of Israel's right to exist and calls for the elimination of the state are likely to constitute subjective value judgments.
Amnesty International said the protection of Jewish life is of particular importance but added that the initiative massively endangers freedom of expression.
