Horror at anti-Semitic incidents
Politicians have reacted with horror to recent anti-Semitic incidents in Germany. For example, papers left in front of the New Synagogue in Erfurt were set on fire. In Frankfurt am Main, three men were arrested for anti-Semitic insults. According to Bundestag President Bärbel Bas, anti-Semitism in Germany has been underestimated for too long.
Burning notes in front of synagogue
In Erfurt, notes were set on fire in front of the New Synagogue on Sunday night. According to Thuringia's state chancellery, people had expressed their solidarity with Israel on the notes. The police temporarily arrested two suspected drunk men from Libya, but they were released again. According to the police, they were 22 and 25 years old. No one was injured, but the steps of the synagogue were slightly sooted.
Ich verurteile diesen Angriff auf unsere #Synagoge in #Erfurt scharf. Tatverdächtig sind zwei Asylbewerber. Das ist keine Bagatelle. Es ist ein Angriff auf unsere Gesellschaft und unsere Werte. Wer so etwas tut, hat seinen Schutzstatus bei uns verwirkt. https://t.co/cMfmgVQct7
— Georg_Maier🇮🇱 (@GeorgMaier8) November 12, 2023
According to Thuringia's Interior Minister Georg Maier (SPD), the two suspects are asylum seekers from Libya. This suggests that the crime was politically motivated. State security has become active. "It must be assumed that the synagogue was specifically targeted."
Ob der Brand ein kleiner war oder die beiden Täter berauscht waren, ist für mich kein Argument. Wer Schutz bei uns begehrt, aber die Schutzrechte von Jüdinnen und Juden missachtet, der kann sich auf Schutzgewährung nicht mehr berufen. https://t.co/4VlXKoUMSc
— Bodo Ramelow (@bodoramelow) November 12, 2023
If the suspicion is confirmed, Maier spoke out in favor of deporting the two men. "The rule of law must now prove that it works." Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (Left Party) said in a statement: "This is not a misdemeanor, nor is it a foolish prank, red lines have clearly been crossed here." Anyone who lays hands on synagogues or churches cannot claim protection for themselves because they are violating the constitution's rules on the protection of religious freedom.
Anti-Semitic insults
In Frankfurt, the insult of two men of the Jewish faith sparked outrage. According to the police, the rabbi of the Jewish community in Frankfurt and the member of the Jewish community in Dortmund were in front of the entrance to a hotel on Saturday evening when the three suspects insulted them because of their religious affiliation. According to the police, the two men were guests at the hotel as part of the council meeting of the Central Council of Jews in Germany. One of them was wearing a kippah at the time of the attack.
The police arrested the three suspects, some of whom were heavily intoxicated. They were American football fans who had traveled from Baden-Württemberg. The Jewish community in Frankfurt announced that criminal charges had been filed and that they hoped that criminal consequences would be drawn. "We know from historical experience that far too often words can easily turn into deeds." Frankfurt's Lord Mayor Mike Josef (SPD) said: "We are dismayed by the anti-Semitic incident and clearly condemn attacks on Jewish citizens in our city."
Attack against Israeli
In Berlin, a 37-year-old Israeli who was distributing Star of David stickers was attacked and threatened outside a restaurant on Saturday. According to witnesses, he and a companion wanted to show solidarity with Israel, as the police reported. They both filmed the action with a camera. However, the owner did not like the stickers being displayed in the restaurant. He ordered them out into the street and shouted "Not here!", according to a police spokeswoman. An argument developed in front of the store. The employee attacked the 37-year-old Israeli. He is said to have hit the switched-on camera and, according to the spokesperson, shouted: "I'll cut you open!"
According to the Bild newspaper, the man attacked was the Israeli filmmaker Gilad Sade. The newspaper quotes him as saying: "The man stormed towards me with a kebab knife." He was currently in Germany to shoot a movie. "I've never been attacked like this before. I'm not afraid for myself, but for all Jewish people. And our whole society."
President of the Bundestag worried
Since the Islamist Hamas attack on Israel around five weeks ago, there have been a number of anti-Semitic incidents across Germany: Israeli flags have been torn down or front doors smeared with a Star of David.
Bundestag President Bärbel Bas told Bild am Sonntag: "We as a society did not see anti-Semitism or did not want to see it - whether in the cultural scene, on the internet or in everyday life." Now anti-Semitism is breaking out without restraint. "From the right, from the left, from immigrants. I'm really worried about what's happening on our streets and online right now." All social groups need to join forces against hostility towards Jews.
Annette Kurschus, Chair of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), called on Christians to make more efforts in the fight against anti-Semitism. Jewish people should "not have the slightest doubt that they can count on the churches", said the theologian on Sunday in Ulm. The church parliament, the so-called synod, is meeting there until Wednesday.
In this context of rising anti-Semitic incidents in Germany, it's concerning to note that Religion has become a significant factor in fuelling conflicts and tensions, leading to incidents such as War-like attacks on synagogues and verbal assaults based on religious beliefs. For instance, the recent arson attempt at the New Synagogue in Erfurt can be seen as an example of Religion-driven Crime, which has sparked outrage and concern among the public and political leaders alike. This incident, along with others like anti-Semitic insults in Frankfurt and Berlin, highlights the urgent need for Religious tolerance and unity to prevent such conflicts from escalating further.
Source: www.dpa.com
