Ark spokesperson: Anti-Semitic statements have increased
The war in the Gaza Strip has also had an impact on the work of youth and social institutions in Berlin. "Since the Hamas attack on Israel, there has been an alarming increase in anti-Semitic and Islamist statements by young people of Arab origin in our facilities," said Wolfgang Büscher, spokesperson for the Christian children's and youth welfare organization Arche, in the Tagesspiegel newspaper (Sunday). "Hatred of Jews and our culture is something our employees have been experiencing for years. The difference since October 7 is that many now feel encouraged in a negative sense to express their attitude more clearly."
Büscher reported on statements made in an Arche facility in Berlin-Hellersdorf such as "First we cut the throats of the Jews, then the gays and finally the Christians." He pleads for people not to hide their own convictions. "We made mistakes and showed too much consideration," he said. "We are met with tremendous contempt from young Arabs if we don't stand by our own convictions, by Western and Christian values."
Büscher takes a critical view of the current discussion on the topic. "In my emails, people are now fantasizing about being 'kicked out of Germany'," he said. That is nonsense. "We can't criminalize tens of thousands. We have to fight for every child, we can't give up on fanatical young people either. If we don't integrate refugees from day one, we will lose."
Aid organizations in Berlin have expressed concern over the escalating conflicts and anti-Semitic sentiments, particularly among youth of Arab origin, following the war in the Gaza Strip. The inflammatory statements, such as "First we cut the throats of the Jews, then the gays and finally the Christians," reported in Arche facilities, highlight the need for stronger anti-discrimination measures and encouragement of respectful dialogue.
Source: www.dpa.com
