"He made every mistake that could be made": The response of Al-Khadher to the Grass controversy
German Green Party MP Omid Nouripour sharply criticized writer Günter Grass for his controversial prose poem "Was gesagt werden muss" ("What Must Be Said"), considering that the Nobel laureate fell into a dangerous populist trap. In an interview with host Dieter Kassel, Nouripour stated that the poem contained inaccurate claims that distorted the political reality and contributed to its praise from extremist groups, including neo-Nazis.
Nouribor, a prominent spokesperson for the Bündnis 90/Die Grünen party in security policy matters, confirmed that he generally welcomes the involvement of artists in political discussions. He pointed out that countries like France and Spain have strong traditions in this area, which enhances democratic life. However, he emphasized at the same time that this involvement must be responsible, adding that Grass, due to his global stature and long political history, should have been more cautious.
Despite acknowledging some positive aspects of the poem, such as shifting the public discussion away from internal scandals and warning about the dangers of a military strike against Iran, Nouripour felt that its overall content suffers from a deep flaw. He accused Grass of constructing 'straw man arguments', particularly by claiming that criticizing Israel is considered taboo in Germany. He clarified that criticism of Israeli policies, including settlement activities, occurs daily within the Bundestag and the federal government.
The German politician also rejected the portrayal of Israel as a threat to world peace in favor of downplaying the Iranian threat, describing this argument as ignorant and misleading. He emphasized that the Israeli discussion revolves around potential conventional strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, not nuclear attacks, and that presenting Iran as a victim of an imminent nuclear threat is an incorrect and dangerous portrayal.
Nouribor expressed his concern about the way the poem was received both domestically and internationally, pointing to praise from media outlets linked to the Iranian government, as well as the welcome from far-right newspapers within Germany. He warned that the applause from these entities is a dangerous indicator of misjudgment, adding that it is hard to imagine that Grass, known for his social democratic affiliation, would have wanted to receive praise from neo-Nazi circles.
Despite his defense of the principle of Kunstfreiheit (freedom of art), Nouripour emphasized that criticizing the poem is legitimate and necessary. He explained that an artistic work, even if it is not a political decision, gains special weight when it comes from a figure of the stature of a Nobel Prize winner, stressing that the problem was not in Grass's intervention in politics per se, but in his lack of balance, precision, and sufficient knowledge of the security reality.
In conclusion, Nouribor stated that public figures outside the political sphere can indeed influence discussions and apply pressure on decision-makers if they present objective and well-considered arguments. He reminded that the opposition to the delivery of German submarines to Israel is already on the agenda in parliament, including from the Green Party. However, he concluded that Grass undermined his own credibility when he 'made every possible mistake', turning a discussion that could have been constructive into a divisive and harmful debate.