Maxim Biller's Claim That Leftism and Antisemitism Are 'Siamese Twins' Sparks Debate

In a recent episode of Paul Ronzheimer's podcast, author Maxim Biller asserted that left-wing politics and antisemitism are inseparable, calling them 'siamese twins.' He cited Karl Marx's 1843 essay 'Zur Judenfrage' as evidence, pointing to passages such as 'What is the worldly cult of the Jew? Huckstering. What is his worldly god? Money.' However, critic Karsten Krampitz argues in the Freitag that this comparison overlooks historical complexities. Krampitz notes that prominent leftists like Leo Trotzki and Rosa Luxemburg were of Jewish origin, which also fueled the Nazi myth of 'Jewish Bolshevism.' He suggests Biller could extend his argument to Protestantism, referencing Martin Luther's violent anti-Jewish writings, including the call to set fire to synagogues and schools. The debate raises questions about the relationship between leftist ideology and antisemitism, and the selective use of historical evidence. The full article appears in the current issue of Freitag.