German politician Rene Stadtkewitz, dropped by his former party for hosting controversial Dutch politician Geert Wilders, has become the chairman of a new party, Die Freiheit (The Freedom). The party held a low-profile launch ceremony in late October, covered by journalist Daniel Pipes.

The party declares that, “Western civilization, for centuries a world leader, faces an existential crisis.” The party platform calls to protect freedom and democracy, and expresses particular concern over Islam, which, it says, “is not just a religion but also a political ideology with its own legal system.”

“We oppose with all our force the Islamization of our country,” party founders declared.

Die Freiheit is strongly supportive of Israel, which it calls “the outpost of the Western world in the Arab theater.” Israel's right to exist should not be questioned, and “all democratic countries must show the highest interest in Israel's living in free self-determination and security,” the party platform says.

Parties known for their opposition to political Islam have been increasingly popular across Europe, and anti-Islam parties scored victories in the European Union parliamentary voting in 2009. The Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV) led by Geert Wilders has gained the lead in national opinion polls.

Wilders announced in July that he is forming an international alliance to ban Muslim immigration to the West. His message is “stop Islam, defend freedom,” he said. Dutch Muslims have accused Wilders of using Muslim immigrants as a scapegoat for Europe's problems.