The Israeli Border police (Magav) in Weimar
I wanted to bring The Israeli border police in Weimar, the standard armored jeep that the border police uses to patrol would escort me in my daily life in town. I examine what such an action brings, how the presence of a militarized police force from Israel in a small quiet East German place would be perceived. Would it produce fear, antagonism, discomfort or maybe understanding and sympathy? The site of the Star of David is never neutral on the streets of Germany, all the more so when it is painted on an armored jeep.
Not surprisingly, I could not bring a real jeep to Weimar. Instead, I built a two- dimensional life size cut out (like the fake police cars that deter driver from speeding). The cutout can do the same job that a real jeep can do and invoke the discussion I would like to create. Some people might recognize the jeep as an Israeli border police; others, who are less familiar with the situation in Israel/Palestine might not have any reference and not know the origin of the jeep. But all will recognize that it is a militarized jeep. This fake militarized jeep, I feel, will also bring another useful element to the discussion. The fake jeep, the two-dimensional façade barley standing on its wooden frame, is very much like the fake façades of Weimar’s historic building. The façades, historical manipulations, and the cultural cloning wish to suggest authenticity, but they do have to be really convincing to fulfill their purpose and to create in Weimar the romantic Disneyland of the east. In the same way, security can work as a façade. It does not really have to be convincing, you don’t need expensive systems, trained personnel, intelligence, and expertise. What is needed is a pretense of security, feeling of security, the knowing of its being and the statement that it is present.
Background information:
Many times, I’ve been asked if I’m scared to live in Weimar. This question is usually asked by people who don’t live in Weimar; people from West Germany, around Europe and also at home, in Israel. The “wild east” has a reputation for being dangerous for foreigners; East Germany is perceived as being xenophobic and not welcoming to non-Germans. There have been many cases of fascist hooligans attacking non-ethnic Germans in the former GDR, but I personally feel very safe. I have no fear walking the streets alone at night and I’m very comfortable in my environment. So, I find myself many times having to explain my situation, share my perception of safety, but then also have to rethink how safe I really am.
Not being dark skinned is a major factor in my sense of security; people of dark skin and non-European looking people (Asians, Arabs) are more likely to be attacked. So as long as I keep my mouth shut, and conceal my identity I’m pretty safe. But, what if I want to be public? What if I don’t want to hide my identity?
The German state provides twenty-four-hour police protection at synagogues and many other Jewish institutions; even dead Jews need protections with some Jewish cemeteries patrolled by police regularly against Desecration. This protection is to provide security both from far right wing neo-Nazi groups and from extreme Islamic groups. This protection is provided because there is a reason; there have been many attacks in the past on Jewish institutions. Also, individuals have been attacked and Jewish kids in Germany today hide their identity by not wearing Kippas (skullcaps), concealing Star of David chains and not speaking Hebrew publicly. So, do I need to be provided with security if I want to be publicly Jewish? Should I ask the German police to protect me?
The problem is that I don’t trust the German police. Unquestionably, the German police has a very poor record of protecting foreigners and Jews historically. But also currently, they have not been doing a very good job. Last year, in August, for example, a brutal mob attacked eight Indians in eastern German town of Muegelna and the police still have made no arrests . But even worse, there have been cases where police officers themselves acted murderously violent against foreigners, like in the cases of Oury Jalloh in Dessau, or Layé Konde in Bremen who were murdered by the German police while in police custody.
So if I need protection, to be defended, maybe it should be provided by my own country. The state of Israel claims that its mandate is not only to provide security to the citizens of Israel but to Jews in danger anywhere in the world. The security forces of the state will fight anti-Semitism anywhere and help Jews in danger anywhere anyplace. The border police is part of the states security forces and one of its main missions is providing internal security, “The operational arm of the Israel Police for combating terrorism and public disturbances and for providing ongoing security.” Bringing the border police to Weimar to do their task would be a good solution for my fear. But the border police in Israel also have a very vicious side. They have a well deserved reputation for violent treatment of minorities and underprivileged people both in Israel and the Palestinian territories. In addition to the daily harassments on the streets, during demonstrations and direct actions, while exercising their democratic rights, demonstrators get beaten, tear gassed, shot with live and rubber bullets and arrested by these forces, whose mission should be to protect citizens not to attack them. I myself was in many of these confrontations with the border police, and when I see them now patrolling the streets I don’t feel safe for myself or for my neighbors. Still, I decided to bring the Israeli border police to Weimar. Because of the unusual situation, the unique relationship between Israel and Germany and of course the catastrophic past, because of the place Israel’s security forces plays in the discourse about security and militarism, and because of my uncertain and confused feelings I have as a foreigner and Jew living in Weimar, I’m intrigued to find out what such an action would bring.