Josef Schuster of the Central Council of Jews welcomes the ban on Varoufakis and the withdrawal of Fraser. He calls for new sanctions against Iran.

Demonstration of solidarity with Israel in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Sunday after the Iranian drone and missile attack. Photo: Jörg Carstensen/dpa

taz: Mr. Schuster, what was going through your head the moment you received the news that Iranian drones and missiles were approaching Israel?

José Schuster: It was a moment of terror and worry. Because at the beginning it was not entirely clear what the scope of this attack was and to what extent Israel and friendly states were able to prepare for this attack.

The Iranian government has described the attack as retaliation for Israel's airstrike on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus. Do you understand why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is allowing an escalation of military actions that clearly violate international law?

I think we should not overlook something: the Revolutionary Guard, which is subordinate to the Tehran regime, is not a democratic army as we are used to in the Federal Republic and in Europe. Rather, they are nothing more than a terrorist organization. Iran is the mastermind of October 7 and is also behind Hezbollah, which repeatedly attacks Israel from Lebanon.

Do you still have any hope that the people of Israel can return to a life of peace and security in the foreseeable future?

I hope. As the saying goes: A storm clears the air. I hope that after an escalation like this, it will be even easier to bring peace to the situation. It was gratifying that Arab allies supported Israel when Iran attacked.

What consequences do you think the federal government should draw from the Iranian attack on Israel?

The final consequence should be the realization that Iran is not a normal negotiating partner. The mullahs' regime is waging a battle against its own population and, in addition to Israel, also against the Western world itself; Russia is also waging war in Ukraine with Iranian missiles. The Revolutionary Guard is a terrorist organization that must be banned in Germany and is on the EU terrorist list. I also believe that additional sanctions against Iran are necessary. They must be sanctions that mainly affect the State and less the people of Iran.

In reaction, politicians from the Greens, the CDU and the left called for the closure of the Islamic Center of Hamburg. Do you share this demand?

Yes, I share that demand. I'm sorry this didn't happen a long time ago. I have no reasonable explanation for this. The center should be closed today and not tomorrow. I hope that, after the events of last weekend, those responsible will realize how important it is not to give these terrorist propagandists the opportunity to operate on German soil.

You welcomed the police disbandment of the Palestinian Congress in Berlin on Friday. Don't you think that a democracy can withstand such anti-Israel events and that protesting against them could be better than a ban?

The question is not whether such a meeting is anti-Israel. But that's a point. But the main thing is whether it has a seditious nature. If in a congress of this type criminal slogans and the destruction of States are propagated, regardless of which ones, then I believe that the limit of freedom of opinion and expression has been exceeded. And then I hope the police break up that meeting. And this has been applied consistently in Berlin.

What do you think of the entry ban on Yannis Varoufakis?

After the statements he made and that were expected of him again, it was exactly the right thing to do.

Do you also support the expulsion from Cologne of the American Jewish philosopher Nancy Fraser?

For me it's also less about the question, WHO says something, but: That It is said.

What statements are you referring to specifically?

It is about the question of Israel's right to exist, which she questions, and her proximity to BDS. I think this is a point that crosses the line of legitimate criticism of the State of Israel and the policies of the Israeli government. Anyone who calls for a boycott of Israeli universities is not a happy guest of a scientific institution.

To this day, the attack on the Oldenburg synagogue on April 5 has not been solved. How do you rate that?

I hope that the security authorities will do everything possible to identify the perpetrators. The attack on the Oldenburg synagogue is extremely reprehensible. Regardless of the specific background of the crime, the perpetrators must not remain in the dark but must be caught.

How do you currently generally assess the security situation of Jewish institutions in Germany?

Especially after the Halle attack in 2019, Jewish institutions in Germany have significantly improved their security standards. Police protection measures are high. In this sense, Jews no longer have to worry about visiting a Jewish institution. In some parts, especially Berlin or North Rhine-Westphalia, it is much more problematic to be seen as a Jew on the street, for example wearing a yarmulke or a Star of David. This is a situation I couldn't have imagined this way ten years ago. However, this is an evolution that not only affects Germany, but unfortunately many European countries. It is a widespread problem. But that's why you shouldn't bury your head in the sand. And I hope that the security authorities will do everything possible to improve this situation.