BERLIN (Associated Press)-German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle said on Friday that they will be suspended during an investigation into allegations that four employees and a freelancer expressed anti-Israel and anti-Semitism views.
The Munich daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung quoted social media comments this week, which were allegedly made by members of the Arabic service of Deutsche Welle, some of which seemed to downplay the Holocaust or perpetuate anti-Semitic stereotypes.
Deutsche Welle said in a statement that it requires an independent external investigation of these allegations. The investigation will be conducted by former German Minister of Justice Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger and psychologist Ahmad Mansour.
The broadcaster, funded by the German government, stated that all employees must abide by DW’s values and principles, which include a clear commitment to Israel’s right to survival and rejection of anti-Semitism. This policy applies to employees’ private social media accounts.
Deutsche Welle stated that employees affected during the investigation will be suspended, and once the review is completed, they will “immediately make the necessary consequences.”