Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has funnelled 390,000 euros into anti-antisemitism projects without proper scutiny, Der Spiegel claimed in a recent report.
Der Spiegel revealed that an organization called Zera Institute - which claims to research online antisemitism - received the sum from Berlin's culture department, without any review or oversight. The money is derived from a fund set aside for projects that work against antisemitism. So far, 2.65 million euros have been distributed to 18 projects. Zera received the second largest sum.
Officials within the cultural administration advised against approving the funds to the 18 projects without content checks, however then CDU senator Joe Chialo pushed ahead regardless.
What is Zera?
Zera describes itself as a research organization that examines how antisemitism and extremism spread online. Its core mission is about responding to "violence, especially political violence and violence against institutions" through "bringing people together" and "rigorous academic research."
But The Jerusalem Post found that nearly all of the listed experts lack any documented experience in antisemitism or violence-related research. For example, there is nothing online about Taya Ferdman, who is listed as Zera's "expert in antisemitism prevention" and a "scientist in the field of complex systems." There are no papers under her name or participation in panels, and she doesn't have a LinkedIn. Zera told Der Spiegel that Ferdman is qualified because of her experience as a Wikipedia editor, however it did not name her account.
Then there is Carolina Thiele who is listed as a project manager with "extensive experience in media." She is also listed as the manager of Zera's podcast: Arguably. However, Thiele's online profile shows her to be a model and actress with experience in brand relations and production. Nowhere on her profiles does it link to Zera Institute.
With the exception of Dr Matthias J Becker (known for the Decoding Antisemitism project), it is not clear what experience any of the team has with antisemitism or extremism. Most of the team are described as media or video experts, some are even DJs and models. Aside from Becker, none of their experience relates to the stated mission.
Furthermore, the Arguably podcast has never been established, and the institute has only dozens of followers across different social media platforms. The social media itself is lacking: most of the posts feature Brandenburg gate with short captions like "Hate can appear in symbols as much as in words." It has held a public workshop, but otherwise, as Der Spiegel pointed out, "the organization’s output does not yet align with what might be expected for a research institute funded at that level."
Additionally, according to the report, projects like Zera must offer at least 10% of the sum requested in order to be funded, as mandated by the state budget code. Zera, however, was allowed to receive full funding without contributing the 10%.
"If the own funds of ten percent cannot be provided in these projects, we will guarantee 100 percent financing due to the high political importance of these projects from the coalition and in the context of the new city partnership with Tel Aviv," independent Senator for culture Sarah Wedl-Wilson wrote in an email viewed by Der Spiegel.
Such exceptions are only made in extenuating circumstances, and only when the value of the project is high. As Der Spiegel pointed out, it is not clear why Zera would meet such a threshold.
The Berlin State Court of Auditors is said to be examining the case. If the funding was found to be awarded illegally, it may be reclaimed.
Zera to calls Spiegel reporting a deliberate attack
Chair of Zera Institute, Maral Salmassi, disputed the allegations set out in Der Spiegel in a statement to the Post on Wednesday.
"Since November, the institute, our employees, and I personally have been subjected to sustained attacks and defamation. I use these words deliberately. What we are dealing with here are not journalistic critiques, but activist campaigns. This is not a polemical distinction, but an analytical one, because the methods we are observing do not meet the standards of journalism."
Salmassi referred to the Der Spiegel article as "campaign work" and not investigative reporting, and said that "relevant context is systematically ignored."
Salmassi told the Post that written responses to the journalist of the original report were selectively reproduced, key passages omitted, false claims introduced, and the personality rights of her female employees violated. She has since published the full correspondence on Facebook and X.
"At the core of the article is a familiar construction: alleged professional inadequacy," she said. "Following a clear and recognizable pattern, isolated, early secondary activities from student years—primarily of female employees—are scandalized and reframed as defining qualifications. At the same time, relevant degrees, professional experience, and concrete project work are distorted or entirely omitted. It is striking that this systematic questioning of competence is directed almost exclusively at women."
She said Zera has established a national expert council including well-known figures from Jewish, legal, and minority communities, and created an international academic advisory board with recognised scholars.
With regards to the podcast, Salmassi said it is in pre-production, and scheduled for release next week.