Society

U.S. universities and anti-Semitism

Spotlight on freedom of speech

Since the eruption of the Israel-Hamas war, New York's Columbia University has been gripped by divisions over the conflict and rancour over where free speech ends and hatred begins
Life in Lebanon

Fighting sectarianism with cheap groceries

Two women in Lebanon's capital, Beirut, have founded a non-profit grocery store that offers goods at affordable prices. But their bigger vision is to break down political and religious segregation
By Diana Hodali
Cultural boycott of Germany?

The German anti-Semitism debate is increasingly off-key

These days, anyone opposing both anti-Semitism and racism faces a difficult choice, as numerous recent cases show. Where must we start in order to change this?
By Stefan Weidner
Turkey's "Noel Baba"

Questions and answers about St. Nicholas

The Feast of Saint Nicholas, observed on 6 December in Western Christian countries falls within the season of Advent. But who was this bringer of gifts?
Israel-Hamas war

Children bear the brunt of the conflict

While Hamas has released the majority of its child hostages taken on 7 October, it is believed that two remain in captivity. Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinian children are suffering under Israel's ongoing siege and renewed bombardment of Gaza
By Tania Krämer
Dialogue in Germany

An imam and a rabbi tour Berlin schools

Tensions are running high over the conflict in the Middle East. In German schools, as elsewhere, discussions are controversial and emotional. An imam and a rabbi are working together to promote dialogue and understanding in these turbulent times
By Christoph Strack
Israelis and Palestinians: "Standing Together"

"Help us move towards peace"

Since the war in Gaza, the grassroots movement "Standing Together" has become increasingly popular among Israelis and Palestinians. Founding member Itamar Avneri says they are calling for peace and independence for Israelis and Palestinians, absolute equality for all citizens – and true social, economic and environmental justice
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Esra Ozyurek on the German debate

"We must fight anti-Semitism and Islamophobia together"

Germany has long been a role model for the way it deals with Holocaust remembrance. But now this is being used to marginalise minorities, says Turkish ethnologist Esra Ozyurek
By Claudia Mende
Bangladesh's low-wage textile industry

Microcredits – no silver bullet against poverty

While Grameen Bank, the great role model for the microfinance industry, is celebrating its fortieth birthday in 2023, tens of thousands of textile workers in Bangladesh are taking to the streets and striking for better wages
By Dominik Müller
India's pro-Israel shift

Muslims barred from supporting Palestinians

From Western capitals to Muslim states, protest rallies over the Israel-Hamas war have made headlines. But one place known for its vocal pro-Palestinian stance has been conspicuously quiet: Indian-controlled Kashmir
By Aljaz Hussain
France

Jewish-Muslim group fights rising anti-Semitism

France has seen a surge in anti-Semitic incidents since the start of the Israeli-Hamas conflict. One Jewish-Muslim group near Paris is trying to calm tensions
By Lisa Louis
Germany and the Israel-Hamas war

The need to bridge societal rifts

Reporting deep rifts in German society, representatives of the country's Jewish and Muslim communities attended a round-table meeting called by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to discuss the consequences of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel
By Hans Pfeifer