http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Thu, 23 May 2013 10:57:31 +0200 Thu, 23 May 2013 10:57:31 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-head-sigmar-gabriel-speaks-with-spiegel-about-guenter-grass-a-827752.html#ref=rss For decades, Nobel laureate Günter Grass has supported Germany's Social Democrats on the campaign trail. Despite massive critique of the author's recent poem about Israel, SPD head Sigmar Gabriel defends Grass in an interview with SPIEGEL. He also says that the Pirate Party still has a lot to learn. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:20:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-head-sigmar-gabriel-speaks-with-spiegel-about-guenter-grass-a-827752.html For decades, Nobel laureate Günter Grass has supported Germany's Social Democrats on the campaign trail. Despite massive critique of the author's recent poem about Israel, SPD head Sigmar Gabriel defends Grass in an interview with SPIEGEL. He also says that the Pirate Party still has a lot to learn.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/israeli-minister-offers-to-meet-grass-on-neutral-territory-a-827122.html#ref=rss Günter Grass has compared Israel's travel ban on him to the methods of East Germany's Stasi secret police. But Israeli Interior Minister Eli Yishai isn't budging, saying the decision to declare the German author persona non grata was "better late than never." He also offered to meet Grass in a "neutral" state. Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:05:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/israeli-minister-offers-to-meet-grass-on-neutral-territory-a-827122.html Günter Grass has compared Israel's travel ban on him to the methods of East Germany's Stasi secret police. But Israeli Interior Minister Eli Yishai isn't budging, saying the decision to declare the German author persona non grata was "better late than never." He also offered to meet Grass in a "neutral" state.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-luxembourg-foreign-minister-asselborn-on-iran-dispute-a-826947.html#ref=rss Israel as the aggressor and Iran as the victim? Günter Grass got his line of argument wrong in his controversial poem, argues Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn in a SPIEGEL ONLINE interview. But the poem has triggered an important debate about how Germany should approach Israel's decisions, he adds. Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:54:41 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-luxembourg-foreign-minister-asselborn-on-iran-dispute-a-826947.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-press-review-on-israeli-travel-ban-against-guenter-grass-a-826582.html#ref=rss German politicians across the spectrum are criticizing Israel's travel ban on author Günter Grass after the publication of his controversial poem. Editorialists condemn the decision, and some are alarmed over what the development could mean for traditionally close ties between the two nations. Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:17:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-press-review-on-israeli-travel-ban-against-guenter-grass-a-826582.html German politicians across the spectrum are criticizing Israel's travel ban on author Günter Grass after the publication of his controversial poem. Editorialists condemn the decision, and some are alarmed over what the development could mean for traditionally close ties between the two nations. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/moshe-zimmermann-commentary-on-israeli-reaction-to-guenter-grass-a-826383.html#ref=rss With his controversial poem, Günter Grass has played right into the hands of the Israeli government and distracted attention from the real issues. An entry ban on the German author is absurd. The debate on his controversial views needs to take place on the culture pages of newspapers -- not in politics. Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:26:42 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/moshe-zimmermann-commentary-on-israeli-reaction-to-guenter-grass-a-826383.html With his controversial poem, Günter Grass has played right into the hands of the Israeli government and distracted attention from the real issues. An entry ban on the German author is absurd. The debate on his controversial views needs to take place on the culture pages of newspapers -- not in politics.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/reaction-to-controversial-poem-by-german-author-guenter-grass-a-826378.html#ref=rss Israel declared Günter Grass "persona non grata" on Sunday for calling the country a threat to world peace.  Israeli Interior Minister Eli Yishai went further, saying the author should have his Nobel Prize withdrawn. Politicians in Germany, though critical of Grass, say the ban on visiting Israel is exaggerated. Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:43:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/reaction-to-controversial-poem-by-german-author-guenter-grass-a-826378.html Israel declared Günter Grass "persona non grata" on Sunday for calling the country a threat to world peace.  Israeli Interior Minister Eli Yishai went further, saying the author should have his Nobel Prize withdrawn. Politicians in Germany, though critical of Grass, say the ban on visiting Israel is exaggerated. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-nobel-laureate-guenter-grass-is-right-to-criticize-israel-a-826180.html#ref=rss Is Israel a threat to world peace? German writer Günter Grass has been blasted as an anti-Semite this week for making just such a claim in a new poem. But while the verse may not win any awards, Grass has kicked off an important -- and long overdue -- debate. And, he's right. Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:11:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-nobel-laureate-guenter-grass-is-right-to-criticize-israel-a-826180.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/author-guenter-grass-seeks-to-fend-off-international-criticism-a-826120.html#ref=rss German Nobel laureate Günter Grass has taken to the airwaves to address the raging controversy surrounding his new poem, which is sharply critical of Israel. Yet the debate continues to broaden, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joining the fray on Thursday. Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:22:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/author-guenter-grass-seeks-to-fend-off-international-criticism-a-826120.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-commentators-blast-guenter-grass-poem-on-israel-and-iran-a-826007.html#ref=rss In his poem about Israel and Iran published on Wednesday, German Nobel laureate Günter Grass expressed the fear that he would be labelled anti-Semitic for his anti-Israeli stance. Some commentators in Germany on Thursday say that the fear was more than justified. Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:21:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-commentators-blast-guenter-grass-poem-on-israel-and-iran-a-826007.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/israeli-historian-tom-segev-says-grass-still-thinking-about-his-ss-silence-a-825969.html#ref=rss In the past, Israeli journalist and historian Tom Segev has defended Günter Grass from claims that he tried to portray Germans as victims in World War II. But following the publication of Grass's Israel-critical poem this week, Segev argues the German author is driven more by his silence over his SS past than concerns about the future of humanity. Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:22:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/israeli-historian-tom-segev-says-grass-still-thinking-about-his-ss-silence-a-825969.html In the past, Israeli journalist and historian Tom Segev has defended Günter Grass from claims that he tried to portray Germans as victims in World War II. But following the publication of Grass's Israel-critical poem this week, Segev argues the German author is driven more by his silence over his SS past than concerns about the future of humanity.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/interview-with-historian-about-guenter-grass-poem-a-825942.html#ref=rss Nobel Prize laureate Günter Grass has caused a controversy with a new poem criticizing Israel's policies against Iran. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, the German historian Michael Wolffsohn accuses Grass of anti-Semitism and rehashing far-right stereotypes about Jews. Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:10:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/interview-with-historian-about-guenter-grass-poem-a-825942.html Nobel Prize laureate Günter Grass has caused a controversy with a new poem criticizing Israel's policies against Iran. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, the German historian Michael Wolffsohn accuses Grass of anti-Semitism and rehashing far-right stereotypes about Jews.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/editorial-on-guenter-grass-poem-about-israel-a-825818.html#ref=rss Never in the history of postwar Germany has a prominent intellectual attacked Israel in such a cliche-laden way as Günter Grass with his controversial new poem, "What Must Be Said." The Nobel Prize laureate has delivered a lyrical first strike against Israel. Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:04:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/editorial-on-guenter-grass-poem-about-israel-a-825818.html Never in the history of postwar Germany has a prominent intellectual attacked Israel in such a cliche-laden way as Günter Grass with his controversial new poem, "What Must Be Said." The Nobel Prize laureate has delivered a lyrical first strike against Israel.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/nobel-laureate-guenter-grass-under-fire-for-israel-comments-a-825712.html#ref=rss In a move that has drawn angry reactions in Germany, Nobel Prize-winning author Günter Grass has published a new poem criticizing Israel's policies against Iran. Historically, Grass has been outspoken in his political views, but many believe the author has now broken a taboo. Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:18:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/nobel-laureate-guenter-grass-under-fire-for-israel-comments-a-825712.html In a move that has drawn angry reactions in Germany, Nobel Prize-winning author Günter Grass has published a new poem criticizing Israel's policies against Iran. Historically, Grass has been outspoken in his political views, but many believe the author has now broken a taboo. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/grass-gaffe-political-thinking-shouldn-t-be-left-to-novelists-a-784611.html#ref=rss Why do people continue to stubbornly believe that novelists have anything special to contribute to political matters? As German Nobel laureate Günter Grass has repeatedly shown, just because you can come up with pleasant stories doesn't mean that will translate to sage political thinking. Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:55:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/grass-gaffe-political-thinking-shouldn-t-be-left-to-novelists-a-784611.html Why do people continue to stubbornly believe that novelists have anything special to contribute to political matters? As German Nobel laureate Günter Grass has repeatedly shown, just because you can come up with pleasant stories doesn't mean that will translate to sage political thinking. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/spiegel-interview-with-guenter-grass-the-nobel-prize-doesn-t-inhibit-me-in-my-writing-a-712715.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, Nobel Prize-winning German author Günter Grass talks about why he doesn't fear death, the missed opportunities of German reunification and why he thinks the Brothers Grimm had "oral sex with vowels." Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:48:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/spiegel-interview-with-guenter-grass-the-nobel-prize-doesn-t-inhibit-me-in-my-writing-a-712715.html In a SPIEGEL interview, Nobel Prize-winning German author Günter Grass talks about why he doesn't fear death, the missed opportunities of German reunification and why he thinks the Brothers Grimm had "oral sex with vowels."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/always-greener-guenter-grass-discusses-his-ss-past-a-435821.html#ref=rss In a public reading of his controversial autobiography, Günter Grass talked for the first time in front of a live audience about why he took so long to reveal serving in the SS. But are we any the wiser? Thu, 07 Sep 2006 16:19:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/always-greener-guenter-grass-discusses-his-ss-past-a-435821.html In a public reading of his controversial autobiography, Günter Grass talked for the first time in front of a live audience about why he took so long to reveal serving in the SS. But are we any the wiser?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/opinion-daniel-kehlmann-on-guenter-grass-a-433079.html#ref=rss An author, world-famous, yet in possession of a secret that he knows will come to light one day and cast a shadow over everything he has accomplished -- what material for a novel! Wed, 23 Aug 2006 11:04:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/opinion-daniel-kehlmann-on-guenter-grass-a-433079.html An author, world-famous, yet in possession of a secret that he knows will come to light one day and cast a shadow over everything he has accomplished -- what material for a novel!]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/interview-with-guenter-grass-it-was-always-on-my-mind-a-432594.html#ref=rss In an interview, Nobel Prize-winning German author Günter Grass discusses his late admission that he was a member of the Waffen-SS. Mon, 21 Aug 2006 10:04:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/interview-with-guenter-grass-it-was-always-on-my-mind-a-432594.html In an interview, Nobel Prize-winning German author Günter Grass discusses his late admission that he was a member of the Waffen-SS.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/opinion-an-honorary-citizen-s-fall-from-grace-a-432374.html#ref=rss Relations between Germany and Poland have been tense lately. The admission by German writer and Nobel Prize winner Günter Grass that he was a member of the Waffen SS has hardly improved the dour mood. Many Poles are reacting bitterly. "We always knew it," they say. "There are no good Germans." Fri, 18 Aug 2006 15:20:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/opinion-an-honorary-citizen-s-fall-from-grace-a-432374.html Relations between Germany and Poland have been tense lately. The admission by German writer and Nobel Prize winner Günter Grass that he was a member of the Waffen SS has hardly improved the dour mood. Many Poles are reacting bitterly. "We always knew it," they say. "There are no good Germans."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/waffen-ss-admission-grass-seeks-to-cleanse-reputation-a-432189.html#ref=rss In a German TV interview, Nobel Prize-winning author Günter Grass defends admitting so late that he served in the Waffen SS during World War II, but sheds little light on his long silence. Criticism continues to mount, but the ranks of those defending the author are also growing. Thu, 17 Aug 2006 13:07:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/waffen-ss-admission-grass-seeks-to-cleanse-reputation-a-432189.html In a German TV interview, Nobel Prize-winning author Günter Grass defends admitting so late that he served in the Waffen SS during World War II, but sheds little light on his long silence. Criticism continues to mount, but the ranks of those defending the author are also growing.]]>