The criticism of the handling of the play “Birds” at the Metropoltheater is growing. In an open letter, former member of the Bundestag Jerzy Montag (Greens) sharply criticizes the role played by the Munich Greens in the debate and in particular attacks the second mayor, Katrin Habenschaden, and the parliamentary group leader, Dominik Krause. “You, apparently without any better arguments, have done freedom of expression in our city a disservice and allowed yourself to be put in front of the carts of those who censor art with the deadly argument of alleged anti-Semitism and at the same time reject any criticism of Israel’s government policy in want to move the corner of anti-Semitism,” writes Montag.

Jewish students had accused the play and the Munich production of anti-Semitism and relativizing the Holocaust, and in an open letter called on the city to “cancel funding for the play.” The Metropoltheater canceled all planned performances in mid-November. It is unclear whether the play WILL be resumed. In a first reaction, habenharm supported the dismissal: “If there is access, it may no longer be listed.” The Green Group had invited the actors to a debate.

He didn’t see the play

The piece “Birds” is neither anti-Semitic nor does it deny the state of Israel a right to exist, writes Montag in his open letter. It reflects the “difficulties and ruptures in Israel and Palestine resulting from the terrible fate of Judaism in the Shoah and the oppressive situation of Palestinians caused by decades of illegal occupation of their country”. He did not see the piece, Montag admitted when asked that it was no longer possible. But he had read enough about it to allow himself an assessment.

In his open letter, Montag not only addresses the debate about “birds”, but also in great detail what he sees as the “unfortunate” fundamental decision of the city council in 2017 not to make any rooms available to the BDS boycott movement, which is directed against Israel’s policies and is partly anti-Semitic . This caused damage to democracy in Munich. The decision has now been overruled by several courts.

Montag has been a member of the Greens for almost 40 years, from 2002 to 2013 he was a member of the Bundestag for Munich. His paternal family is Jewish, many members of his family were murdered by the Nazis in Auschwitz-Birkenau. As an active Green politician, he has always worked to protect Israel, he writes. As a legal politician, as a lawyer and criminal defense attorney, he stood for the fundamental rights of the constitution. He believes he can make a “professional and informed contribution” to anti-Semitism issues.

In his letter, with a view to the Munich theater dispute, he speaks of “self-proclaimed protectors of Israel and combatants of anti-Semitism” whose calls for “censorship, dismissal and immediate cancellation of city funds” are reminiscent of the BDS campaign. From the Greens in City Hall he would have wished for “a powerful approach to protecting free culture and freedom of expression in our city”. But he was “bitterly disappointed”.

Mayor Haben Schaden said on Tuesday that the accusations from her party members were based on a misunderstanding: “No one asked for the play to be dropped.” Her main concern was that the actors sit down together instead of talking about each other. She also does not agree with the link between the debate about “birds” and the BDS topic in Montag’s letter. Group leader Krause also emphasized that the dismissal was a decision of the theater. “It’s about not pushing the issue away, but finding a way to deal with it.”