Reul ahead of Pogrom Night Remembrance Day: "Jewish life is protected"
In an already tense security situation, the police in North Rhine-Westphalia are focusing on the protection of Jewish institutions on the anniversary of the pogrom night 85 years ago. The North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of the Interior announced that historical events would of course also be taken into account when assessing the security situation by the respective police authorities. Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) emphasized: "Jewish life is protected."
Several events such as devotions are planned in NRW. On Wednesday evening, church associations want to commemorate the victims of the attacks on Israel with a silent march; Minister President Hendrik Wüst is expected to attend, among others. On Thursday - the actual anniversary of the pogrom night - the persecution of Jews in Germany will be commemorated in the state parliament.
On the night of November 9-10, 1938, National Socialists vandalized around 7500 Jewish businesses and institutions in Germany. They set fire to the majority of the approximately 1,200 synagogues and houses of worship, demolished Jewish cemeteries and stormed homes. It is unclear how many people died. The Nazi regime spoke of 91 dead Jews. Historians estimate that more than 1,300 people died as a result of the pogrom. More than 30,000 Jews were deported to concentration camps.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, security precautions at Jewish institutions are already high. Immediately after the Islamist Hamas terrorist attack on Israel became known, the district police authorities were instructed to increase their presence at Jewish institutions. Following calls for mobilization by Hamas, the police presence in front of prominent Jewish institutions was increased once again. Following the terrorist attack on Israel and the subsequent air strikes by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, Hamas had called on "Arab and Muslim nations and the free people of the world" to stage mass protests. A spokesperson for the Cologne police said that police measures to protect Jewish institutions and synagogues in Cologne and Leverkusen remained "unchanged at a high level".
"Our police are aware of the historical responsibility that arises from November 9 for the safety of our Jewish fellow human beings, synagogues and other Jewish institutions," said Reul. "We are doing everything we can to ensure that the Reichspogromnacht remains just a memory. Such chapters of dark history must never be repeated."
In light of the increased tensions and the anniversary of the Pogrom Night, concerns about extremist groups resurface. The history of extremism and its role in the past events will be examined when evaluating the internal security situation. To safeguard Jewish life, heightened security measures at Jewish institutions will continue, especially in response to calls for protests following recent conflicts.
Source: www.dpa.com
