A leading German media executive declared Monday 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.
“I never want to give or hear another ‘Never Again’ speech,” Döpfner said, according to a text of his remarks. “‘Never Again’ has become lip service.”
He said the phrase 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.
Döpfner said antisemitism had entered a new stage after October 7, spreading across universities, cultural institutions, social media platforms, and city streets.
‘Why should Zionism be only for Jews?’
“Right after the images of the victims were seen, the downplaying began. Right after the names of the murdered were known, the justifications began,” he said.
Döpfner delivered a sweeping defense of Zionism, saying support for Israel should be embraced by Jews and non-Jews alike.
“What does not make sense to me is this: Why should Zionism be an idea and a goal that only Jews can embrace?” he said. “I am a goy. And I am a Zionist.”
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.
“TikTok, in particular, is today one of the most dangerous propaganda machines for amplifying extremist content,” he said, adding that it had become “by far the most influential information medium for young people.”
He argued that large platforms face far less responsibility than traditional media outlets.
“Every small local newspaper must assume legal responsibility if it has disseminated something false or unlawful,” Döpfner said. “But while TikTok reaches over two billion users, the platform bears virtually no responsibility.”
He said Europe should follow the US example and require TikTok to be sold to non-Chinese owners.
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder, who introduced Döpfner, offered his own criticism of international media coverage of Israel.
“This is especially true in journalism and media right now, when it is hard to tell the difference between the BBC and Al Jazeera,” Lauder said.
Lauder praised Döpfner as “a righteous gentile” and described him as a rare media figure willing to defend Israel publicly.
“When journalism distorts the news about Israel every day, Mathias holds fast,” Lauder said.
Lauder also drew a parallel between the founding of the WJC in Geneva in 1936 and the threats facing Jewish communities today.
“Ninety years ago, one of the darkest hours for the Jewish people was coming, and it is no accident that we are back here exactly 90 years later,” he said.
He warned that antisemitism was no longer confined to the Jewish community.
“What the world has to realize is that today it’s the Jews, and tomorrow it’s everyone else,” Lauder said. “What starts with the Jews never ends with the Jews.”
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.
He closed with a call for solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people.
“We all shall be Zionists,” Döpfner said.