German Culture Minister heckled at Jewish music competition over previous endorsement of inflammatory art exhibit

Germany’s Culture Minister was met with heckles and boos at a Jewish music competition over her previous support of an art exhibit which displayed inflammatory images.

The crowd at the Jewrovision youth music competition, organised by the Central Council of Jews in Germany, expressed dismay at the presence of Claudia Roth, reportedly shouting: “You are not welcome here.”

The 2022 Documenta art exhibition in Kassel presented several inflammatory images, including one of an Orthodox Jew with blood-shot eyes, large sharp teeth, and an ‘SS’ hat on their head.

The controversy led the director of the art festival to resign.

Ms Roth, of the Green Party, reportedly has a history of fueling outrage amongst Germany’s Jewish community. For example, Ms Roth’s department funded Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, the artistic director of Berlin’s House of World Cultures, who has allegedly made numerous inflammatory statements regarding Israel and Jews.

Ms Roth’s spokesperson said: “She accepts such criticism and takes it seriously.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism in Germany, which have increased considerably.