Historian Kraushaar Defends His Controversial Claims on 1970 Antisemitic Arson Attack

Historian Wolfgang Kraushaar defended his controversial research on a 1970 arson attack during a talk in Hanover on Thursday. The event, organised by Against Forgetting—For Democracy, explored the boundaries between criticism of Israel and antisemitism. Kraushaar stood by his claims, despite ongoing disputes over his findings.

Kraushaar revisited his 2005 book, The Bomb in the Jewish Community Center, which linked left-wing extremists Dieter Kunzelmann and Peter Urbach to the Munich bombing. He also repeated assertions that RAF militant Gudrun Ensslin had implied Irmgard Möller's involvement in the arson, while Ulrich Enzensberger allegedly drove a Volkswagen Beetle to the scene. These claims have faced scrutiny, with accusations that Kraushaar falsified quotes and defamed Enzensberger.

He dismissed recent criticism from Der Spiegel, arguing that a 2013 reinvestigation by the Bundesanwaltschaft had supported his conclusions. However, he did not address a separate Der Spiegel report tying the attack to a known neo-Nazi. The 2013 probe, triggered by suspected antisemitic motives and possible links to another incident, ultimately produced no charges. Later investigations, revived around 2025, identified a deceased neo-Nazi suspect but remain unresolved.

Kraushaar praised the initial police work but claimed officers failed to arrest the main suspect due to lack of effort. He also suggested psychological factors might influence left-wing antisemitism, citing Henryk M. Broder's 1970s investigations into the issue.

The event highlighted unresolved questions about the 1970 attack and the broader debate on antisemitism. Kraushaar's arguments, though contested, remain part of ongoing discussions. No legal resolution has emerged from multiple reinvestigations, leaving key aspects of the case open.