His name is Martin Niemöller. A Lutheran pastor who was first an enthusiastic Nazi, Hitler supporter then switched sides and became an ardent Communist. In the 60's he was awarded with "Lenin peace prize". He's better known for his crap: "First they came for the..."

Don't attempt to mislead the posters: have you ever tried to challenge Obamao? You would be silenced and labeled as "RACIST" before saying even a word. The level of mind-control in the US is astonishing: unless one is spewing the PC leftist lies, the retributions will be swift. Once one is labeled "RACIST", bigot, homophobic, "Nazi" his/her professional life is over. Americans are not well suited to pontificate about other peoples speeches.

And if he comes, arrest him!

actually , 99% of the people in the world have not heard of him and they dont know or care what he said about Israel. In fact 50% of the people in the world could not tell you anything at all about Israel let alone find it on a map.

He should have been banned from the country or at least confined to quarters in Sdrodt. It's another to have the PM of Israel weigh in and give GG the forum that he so obviously wanted. In the end though GG will go down much like Helen Thomas in disgrace, deservedly so. Especially in light of the so called Arab Spring and a pending Iranian bomb.

Do it immediately Israel. The fifth column is killing you.

Israel always needs to remind alert against any attempt of antisemitism attempt in special when is coming from such a notorious ex fascist labeled as intellectual/ poet which stem from such era and blind by his cynical calculation. Another sign of moral bankruptcy of Europe culture where the rise of fascism and islamism converge in stream of self destruction.

like any other former SS war criminal.

Israel had 60+ years to ban this particular former Nazi, who's been prominent for at least a decade. Even the Israeli government said the ban was specifically in connection to the poem, and that's how it will be perceived.

your post like the article like Grass poem all are from free speech but if the interior ministry decision is from free speech it is okey but if it is from deplomacy to secure israil i think it will do nothing but if it is pr. only it is wrong . ...my post here is from free speech not more

No matter what Israel does it will always backfire. That's the nature of the game for us Jews. Jews were killed by Nazis and not by Germans. Grass is not a German but a Nazi writer. His big mouth hurts unfortunately the German people. If Arafat , the father of terrorism got the Nobel prize, I believe that it was correct for Grass to get it and keep it as well. They are similar in their nature. The one uses weapons and bombs to kill innocent people and the other one does it with words. Last but not least, Grass should be allowed to enter Israel without any kind of identification. Why to worry ? Do we ask dogs for an ID ?

Bettini is right regretfuly this decision mow ismade unecessary headlines was Gunther Grass on his way, Eli Yishai is more populist joband does not fit the

The article is silly and gives a false analysis. Germans are not outraged by Yishai's reaction. You have to consider that many Germans speak up against Grass but there are plenty who do agree with him. In other words, Germany has many Guenter Grass !

Freedom of Speech? Freedom of Movement? Not in Israel! Isreal is a theocracy which doesn't grant many, if any, human rights! Period!

Yishai is a Shas phenomenon in his grasp of classical languages..."persona non grata" Wow !!!... unfortunately he just doesn't understand that he, himself, is "non compos mentis"

You are right: Declaring Grass persona non grata is not a free speech issue. Other countries bar other people for trivia, like tweeting a joke (US vs. Leigh Van Bryan) Nevertheless, much of the media is TREATING IT AS IF IT WERE a freedom of speech issue. So, from a tactical point, declaring Grass persona non grata AT THIS TIME was a mistake. Of course, Israel has the right and should have barred him. IMHO, it should have waited a couple of weeks or until Grass actually boarded a plane to Israel.

always been banned from Israel. He kept his SS past under wraps but now that it is out so is he. Any other leftist sloganeering I can help you with.?

Agree!! Obvious he does not live in a country were anti-Israel is mainstream. STILL he does hope that anti Semitism can be avoid by 'good behavour' wishful thinking. and finally you agree with the Israel hate.

to be in hell or paradice do not need ID and noble brize will not help , please do not be so nervouse .the matter is simple . arafat take it more serouse than it should be becouse of that i think he did not deserve the prize nor to be killED like mr. RABIN . I THINK BOTH WERE IN HURRY ABOUT THE ISSUE AND ALL THE PEOPLE WERE LOST

SS were handpicked volunteers

In the EU speech laws prohibits free expression of thought by criminalizing it. Here is the said Law: “Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA of 28 November 2008 on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law.” You're an ignorant propagandist but we do know the truth. We know the names of persons persecuted by your EU bureaucrats.

And let him discuss with holocaust survivors. They will treat him how he deseerves.

to treat him...it is in fact long overdue...!

You lost the discernement morals and became paranoid to the expression of freedom empty from really meaning. Your concept of freedom which is based on irresponsible , immoral is the recipe to self destruction, and you are experienced