Masha Gessen's New Yorker essay ignites debate on art, politics, and memory in Germany

On December 9, 2023, an essay by Masha Gessen addressing art, politics, and freedom of expression was published in The New Yorker, in light of Hamas's attacks on October 7. Gessen critiques the way Germany remembers the Holocaust, suggesting that its belief in the uniqueness of this event obstructs meaningful comparisons with other tragedies. She references artist Candice Breitz, whose symposium "We Need to Talk" faced cancellation three times, along with a 2024 exhibition at the Saarland museum that was also withdrawn. These incidents relate to Germany's endorsement of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's 2016 definition of antisemitism and a resolution opposing the BDS movement, impacting numerous artists. Gessen, whose family suffered losses at the hands of the Nazis, controversially likens Gaza to a Jewish ghetto. The essay has been commended for its insights on control, free speech, and the interplay between art and politics.