GERMANY - Media Chief Declares ‘I Am a Zionist’

A leading German media executive declared that he was “a goy” (non-Jew) and “a Zionist,” telling the World Jewish Congress in Geneva that the free world must confront antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and online radicalization before they undermine Western democracy itself.

Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer, the owner of Politico and Business Insider, delivered the remarks at a WJC (World Jewish Congress) Governing Board gathering marking 90 years since the organization was founded in Geneva in 1936.

He said the phrase [“Never again”] had become “a moral declaration of intent without consequences,” arguing that the global reaction after the October 7 massacre showed that Western societies had failed to act on the lessons they claim to uphold.

He described Israel as “a bridgehead of Western values in the Middle East” and said Zionism was “the logical consequence of history.”

“A people’s right to live in safety. The right to defend oneself. The right not to be dependent on the mercy of others again,” he said. “Anyone who questions these rights is not only questioning Israel, but the principles upon which free societies are founded.”

Döpfner also rejected the slogan “Zionism is racism,” saying: “It is not Zionism that is racism. Rather, anti-Zionism is racism.” Döpfner devoted part of his address to social media, singling out TikTok as a major driver of antisemitic and anti-Israel radicalization among young people.

Döpfner ended his speech by arguing that the fight against antisemitism was primarily a task for non-Jews and a test of whether Western societies could defend their own values.

“If the West, that is, the free world, does not defeat antisemitism, it will destroy itself,” he said.

-www.jpost.com, 13 May 2026

Commentary: Mitternachtsruf International (Midnight Call headquarters in Switzerland) has had positive relations with the publishing house Axel Springer. Thus, it is not surprising that the CEO boldly stands up for simple truth. What mighty words, “It is not Zionism that is racism. Rather, anti-Zionism is racism.” What is anti-Zionism, and for that matter, antisemitism? It has as its goal simply the exclusion of the Jewish people.

A popularized slogan that has become ubiquitous is, “From the river to the sea, make Palestine free.” Free of what? Obviously, free of Jews. That actually qualifies for the term genocide. Now the question: Will Palestine become free? Our answer is unreservedly yes. When the original owners—promised by no one less than the Creator of heaven and earth—return to their land, there will be freedom. At this point, we repeat: Parts of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and even Egypt are Arab-occupied Israeli territory.

The Psalmist speaks of the nation Israel being the target of genocide: “They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance” (Psalm 83:4).

(See The Case for Zionism, Item #2327, $14.99.)