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Klütz in a state of emergency: harassment after the Friedman scandal!
In Klütz, northwest Mecklenburg, a conflict leads to resignations and harassment after an event was canceled due to safety concerns.
Klütz in a state of emergency: harassment after the Friedman scandal!
Things have been simmering in the picturesque town of Klütz since September and the waves of conflict are raging. Two committed men had to resign from their positions and the citizens' dissatisfaction is palpable. How SVZ reports, the events surrounding Mr. Hintz's public statement are particularly drawing attention. He had canceled a planned event with the controversial Mr. Friedman, allegedly out of fear of right-wing protests.
However, the city council itself made the decision for financial reasons, which further complicated the situation. An employee of the Klützer Literaturhaus sheds light on the consequences of this cancellation and reports massive harassment in the form of emails and calls that she received after the scandal. “We were insulted and insulted,” she complains. Concern about financial resources seems to have not only a political but also an emotional dimension.
The dispute over public perception
However, the allegations against Mr. Hintz continue. He is accused of branding the region as anti-Semitic and defaming the Klützers as a “bullying precariat”. Absurd conclusions are drawn, such as calling a yellow ribbon put up by residents an anti-Semitic symbol. These communication deficits are identified by Barbara Stierand, chairwoman of the Literaturhaus support association, as the main cause of the negative public perception.
The future of the Hannah Arendt Week is also hanging in the balance. While no events can take place this year, there is currently no new scientific director for 2026. However, the public advertisement for this position is expected to take place soon. The support association is actively committed to preserving the Uwe Johnson Literature House and emphasizes the need to improve conversations on both sides.
A ray of light in the darkness
Despite the problems, however, there is a silver lining. The first post-conflict event will take place on November 12th at the Grenzhus border museum in Schlagsdorf. This reading by Grit Poppe could be a step in the right direction to build bridges again.
These profound conflicts in Klütz are not just a local phenomenon. In the larger context, the fight against anti-Semitism in Germany has become a central issue after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The federal government's current report on the situation of Jewish life in Germany shows an alarming increase in anti-Semitic crimes. The aim is to protect Jewish life and sustainably combat anti-Semitism, a concern that is also becoming increasingly important at the local level Bundestag has determined.
It remains to be hoped that the recent conflicts in Klütz will serve as a catalyst for a constructive dialogue and that together we will find a way to counter the creeping anti-Semitism. The coming months will show whether this wish will come true.