Faeser reaffirms tough action against Islamists ahead of interior ministers' conference

Faeser reaffirms tough action against Islamists ahead of interior ministers' conference

The measures included "swift action under criminal law, deportation of Islamists without a German passport, tough action in the event of anti-Semitic incidents at demonstrations and - if necessary - bans on gatherings". "We are increasingly seeing calls for attacks in the jihadist spectrum," emphasized the SPD politician. It is precisely now that we need to keep a close eye on Islamist threats and stop further radicalization processes.

The interior ministers and senators of the federal states are meeting in Berlin from Wednesday at their autumn conference. One focus of the three-day meeting will be the war in the Middle East and its impact on Germany. For this reason, the President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, and Israel's Ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, are also expected to attend.

Also on the agenda are the refugee situation, border controls, cooperation between the federal police and state authorities and security during the European Football Championships next summer. The heads of department will also once again address the fight against sexualized violence. The conference under Berlin's rotating chairmanship will last until Friday.

"For me, the central theme of this conference of interior ministers is to continue to work together against the growing threat of Islamist terrorism and against the repugnant hatred towards Jews and Israel," said Faeser. The conference must therefore send out a strong signal that Jewish life in Germany is under special protection.

In the run-up to the conference, the Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO ) and the Paritätische Gesamtverband warned against a tightening of refugee and naturalization policies. "Restrictions such as reduced social benefits or payment cards instead of cash for refugees will not ensure that fewer people seek protection in Germany, but will only deprive those affected of any self-determination," explained AWO President Kathrin Sonnenholzner on Wednesday.

Many of the current demands and legislative initiatives have little to do with reality. "Instead, they offer de facto sham solutions," criticized Sonnenholzner. In recent months, federal politicians have not set any decisive limits to populist debates and have sometimes even fueled them. "This is fueling a politically dangerous mood in the country."

The Managing Director of the Paritätischer Gesamtverband, Ulrich Schneider, also criticized that political rights should not be made dependent on income or full-time employment. The planned tightening of the requirements for securing a livelihood would "reduce people to mere human capital according to economic criteria". The implementation of the traffic light plans would be "a real step backwards and the opposite of a modern and fair naturalization policy", explained Schneider.

The federal government's legislative plans provide for easier naturalization for people who have lived in Germany for a longer period of time, earn their own money and recognize the free and democratic basic order. Those who earn their own living in Germany and are well integrated are to receive a German passport more quickly.

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1. Faeser affirmed the necessity of firm action against Islamists, mentioning the deployment of swift criminal law measures, deportation of Islamists without German passports, and potential bans on gatherings.
2. In addressing the interior ministers' conference, Faeser emphasized the need to continue collaborating against the growing threat of Islamist terrorism and antisemitic sentiments.
3. The SPD politician stated that the conference should send out a strong message of protection for Jewish life in Germany, in the presence of Josef Schuster from the Central Council of Jews in Germany and Israel's ambassador Ron Prosor.
4. Before the conference, the Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO) and Paritätische Gesamtverband warned against tightening refugee and naturalization policies, fearing negative consequences for refugees and their self-determination.
5. AWO President Kathrin Sonnenholzner criticized initiatives that seemed to offer misleading solutions, while creating a dangerous politically-charged atmosphere in the country.
6. The Paritätischer Gesamtverband also opposed making political rights contingent on income or employment status, arguing that it dehumanizes individuals and contradicts modern, fair naturalization policies.
7. The federal government's legislation aims to facilitate naturalization for long-term residents, gainfully employed individuals, and those well-integrated into German society, granting them German passports more quickly.
8. The conference of interior ministers, scheduled in Berlin, will explore various topics, including the impact of the Middle East conflict on Germany, border control, and cooperation between federal and state authorities.
9. T-Online reported on debates surrounding the tightening of refugee and naturalization policies, acknowledging the criticisms from the AWO and the Paritätischer Gesamtverband.
10. In light of the conference, Federal Police head Nancy Faeser called for bold actions against Islamist offenses, vocalizing the need to uphold the rule of law.
11. In response to increasing calls for jihadist attacks, Germany's border control must remain vigilant, addressing the growing threat of Islamist terrorism by strengthening security measures accordingly.

Source: www.stern.de