Enhanced measures to combat extremism and acts of hate

Munich News Update: New Developments Unfold. - Enhanced measures to combat extremism and acts of hate

Recently, there's been a rise in anti-Semitic acts and attacks on political figures. As a result, the Central Office for the Fight against Extremism and Terrorism (ZET) in Bavaria is receiving additional responsibilities. From this weekend, the special unit will handle all cases related to digital and physical hate crimes, as well as politically motivated offenses. This was announced by the Justice Ministry on Friday. The ZET is stationed at the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office and operates across Bavaria.

Justice Minister Georg Eisenreich (CSU) emphasized the importance of tackling hate crimes both online and offline. "Recent events have demonstrated that hate crimes need to be pursued relentlessly and systematically in the real world," he said. He added that perpetrators were increasingly being radicalized online, and committing their crimes both online and offline. The ZET has been operating for seven years and has handled over 4,000 cases so far.

The minister also brought up the rise in anti-Semitism after the Hamas terror attack on October 7. "We stand firmly by the side of Jewish citizens in our country. Jewish people and women should feel secure in Germany. We are tackling anti-Semitic crimes vigorously," said Eisenreich.

As an illustration, Eisenreich cited expressions used during anti-Gaza War demonstrations. "The phrase 'From the river to the sea' questioned the existence of Israel, as it claimed ownership over the entire territory from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea," he explained. "The rule of law can't allow calls for the destruction of Israel to be made in Germany." Anyone who uses this phrase, regardless of language, can expect to be investigated for promoting symbols of terrorist organizations.

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1. In response to the increase in hate crimes, German politicians have decided to assign additional responsibilities to the Central Office for the Fight against Extremism and Terrorism (ZET) in Bavaria.
2. The ZET, located at the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office, will be handling all digital and physical hate crimes, as well as politically motivated offenses, starting from this weekend.
3. The Justice Ministry in Germany announced these changes on Friday, citing the rise in both anti-Semitic acts and attacks on political figures as a main concern.
4. The director of Germany's Justice Ministry, Georg Eisenreich, emphasized that hate crimes, whether online or offline, must be tackled with vigor and resilience.
5. Following the Hamas terror attack on October 7, hate crimes against Jewish citizens in Germany have escalated, which is why Justice Minister Eisenreich has pledged to combat anti-Semitic crimes with fervent determination.
6. In connection with this, Eisenreich has pointed out the problematic phrase "From the river to the sea," which has been used during anti-Gaza War demonstrations, and called for anyone using such language to be investigated for promoting terrorist symbols.
7. The German Ministry of Justice is actively working to protect its citizens from hate crimes and terrorism, taking strong measures to ensure that such criminal offenses do not go unpunished.

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