The city of Bremen in Germany has recently banned the “silent fox” gesture commonly used in schools to signal for quiet in classrooms. The decision was made due to concerns that the gesture closely resembles the Turkish nationalist “wolf sign”, particularly associated with the far-right Grey Wolves organization.
Authorities in Bremen cited the political significance of the hand gesture as incompatible with the city’s values and also deemed it pedagogically outdated. The controversy around the Turkish nationalist symbol intensified when Turkish football player Merih Demiral used it to celebrate a goal, resulting in a two-match ban.
The wolf sign, linked to the Nationalist Movement Party and Grey Wolves, has stirred debates between those viewing it as a symbol of national pride and others associating it with chauvinism and violence against minorities. The issue has even reached Germany, where the Grey Wolves are considered the largest far-right movement.
There have been persistent calls for a countrywide ban on the Grey Wolves in Germany, fueled by accusations of instigating violence and attacks. The import of Turkish politics into the country has raised concerns regarding the influence of nationalist movements on ethnic minorities.