Der israelbezogene Antisemitismus und die Gratwanderung einer nicht-antisemitischen ‚Israelkritik‘ – Versuch einer demokratietheoretischen Mediation

The important debate on Israel-centered antisemitism has currently reached an impasse. In order to contribute to the objectification of the academic and public discussion, this article proposes a differentiation between subjectively conscious and unconscious anti-semitic resentments and reformulates this distinction in terms of democratic theory. Against the background of a concept of democracy including the complex coexistence of unity and plurality in democratic societies as well as the fundamental tension between religion and popular sovereignty, it becomes available to reflect the state of Israel as a Jewish collective in a non-antisemitic way, while illustrating relevant aporias in the Middle East conflict at the same time. On this basis, a well-balanced discussion of the apartheid accusation against the Israeli government is as possible as a plausible assessment of the Palestinian boycott movement BDS.