Anti-Semitism office: State parliament approaches municipalities
The Brandenburg state parliament wants to approach the Jewish communities when creating the position of an anti-Semitism commissioner and involve them more closely. "We will also comply with the wishes of the Jewish associations to be consulted when appointing the commissioner," said SPD parliamentary group leader Daniel Keller in Potsdam on Tuesday. Following a hearing, the three coalition factions of the SPD, CDU and Greens as well as the Left Party and Free Voters had also agreed that the position should be advertised.
The anti-Semitism commissioner is to be the contact person for Jews and Jewish groups - including in cases of suspected anti-Semitic incidents. This was decided by a large majority in the state parliament. The position is intended to promote dialog between religions and be in contact with the Jewish communities in Brandenburg. It has not yet been decided who will fill the position. So far, the Jewish communities have not felt sufficiently involved in the plans. The Left Party and the Free Voters campaigned for a call for tenders and warned against appointments based on party affiliation.
The Jewish groups should now be consulted on the parliamentary groups' personnel proposals before the vacancies are filled, according to an amendment tabled by the SPD, CDU, Greens, Left Party and Free Voters MP Péter Vida. The AfD parliamentary group had opposed the creation of the position. It accuses the other parliamentary groups of wanting to play politics on the backs of people who have experienced anti-Semitism.
According to police figures, the number of anti-Semitic crimes in Brandenburg rose by 30 percent to 195 last year. Interior Minister Michael Stübgen (CDU) had assured Jews of protection following the attack on Israel by the Islamist Hamas. SPD parliamentary group leader Keller said that the commissioner should ensure security concepts with the Ministry of the Interior. According to the German government's anti-Semitism commissioner, Felix Klein, there are anti-Semitism commissioners in 14 of the 16 federal states.
The Brandenburg state Parliament, recognizing the need for involvement of Jewish communities, aims to consult them during the appointment process of the new anti-Semitism commissioner. Despite the large majority decision in Parliament to establish this role, some Jewish groups have expressed feelings of insufficiency in their involvement thus far.
Source: www.dpa.com
