Far-right German party cuts circumcision ban from Islamophobic, anti-Semitic platform
The far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) finalized its platform in advance of their convention this weekend - and exposed a split within their ranks over the controversial issue of male circumcision.
While the majority backed bans on both Islamic and Jewish traditions including burkas, minarets, calls to prayer, and how animals are slaughtered, they cut out the proposal from Bavarian representatives to block the practice of snipping the tip of a baby boy’s penis.
The AfD platform gives both Jews and Muslims a common enemy and highlights many of the similarities between two faiths so often at odds.
Banning ritual slaughter and circumcision is banning Judaism, @FraukePetry. Democracy, my ass. #AFD#Germany
— Gedalyah Reback (@gedalyahreback) April 24, 2016
The rules of Halal and Kosher, for instance, require animals to be alive, healthy, and uninjured before their throats are slit for human consumption, with the intention of minimizing the animal’s suffering.
AfD wants to end the exemption that allows followers of both faiths to slaughter their animals without first administering an electric shock.
#AfD: Vollverschleierung durch Burka und Niqab in der Öffentlichkeit und im öffentlichen Dienst verbieten! pic.twitter.com/CdlDUkt0PS
— AfD-Bayern (@AfD_Bayern) April 12, 2016
They also want to ban burkas and niqabs in public places along with the wearing of headscarves in schools by both students and teachers.
Describing Islam as a "foreign body in Germany", party members believe it is not compatible with the EU country's constitution.
German #AfD branded ‘Nazis’ after it says Islam is ‘unconstitutional’ https://t.co/bJ8CgQS1UCpic.twitter.com/8jlEaiqFIy
— RT (@RT_com) April 19, 2016
The party won seats in three legislatures during last month’s regional elections, picking up support from anti-refugee voters who didn’t find solace in the main parties.
A leading member of AfD was appointed Berlin state prosecutor, giving him a powerful platform from which to carry out their aggressive beliefs.
"Nearly 80 percent of my perpetrators have an immigrant background, 70 percent are Middle Eastern migrants. Every one of these foreign perpetrators has no business whatsoever in this country," Roman Reusch said back in 2008.
Leader Frauke Petry has said police should shoot at those who don’t have a “legal” right to be in the EU country.
"Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal".
— Jade (@LIV_Jade_) April 12, 2016
Martin Luther King Jr. pic.twitter.com/f1Ud0Ne1wq
AfD also recently called for southern EU states including Spain, France, and Italy to be banned from the Eurozone, as they lack “cultures of stability”.