Anti-Semitism - Schuster disappointed by lack of solidarity with Jews
The Central Council of Jews does not expect prejudice, hostility and hatred to subside in the coming years. "I don't have the utopia of a life without anti-Semitism in Germany," Central Council President Josef Schuster told dpa in Berlin.
Former Central Council President Ignatz Bubis had already said with resignation at the end of his term of office that he had achieved nothing. "When I look back over nine years, I actually see more anti-Semitism than back then, and I mean that without taking October 7 into account," said Schuster. This refers to the sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Germany following the attack on Israel by the terrorist organization Hamas.
Schuster disappointed by lack of solidarity
Schuster added: "However, I believe that it is not that more people have anti-Semitic ideas, but that anti-Semites are simply becoming louder. So I would predict that in five years' time we will have a similar picture of opinion as before October 7. Anti-Semitism in Germany will remain roughly the same."
According to surveys, around a fifth of the population has always had anti-Jewish resentment in recent decades. "They will not disappear, but fortunately the rate has never risen," said Schuster.
The Central Council President expressed his disappointment at the lack of solidarity towards Jewish Germans. "What we hear from political leaders, across all parties, is clearly empathy, solidarity with Israel, no ifs, ands or buts," he said. "What I miss is a correspondingly broad expression of opinion from society. I would have liked to see a broader participation in pro-Israeli demonstrations." However, he qualified: "There are significantly more encouraging, positive emails - in a quantity and abundance that I have not yet seen in this form."
Schuster made his comments in an interview on the fringes of the Jewish Community Day, which ends this Sunday in Berlin. The meeting with around 1,400 participants has been running since Thursday with discussions, workshops and prayers. The Jewish communities in Germany number around 95,000 people.
Read also:
- Year of climate records: extreme is the new normal
- Precautionary arrests show Islamist terror threat
- UN vote urges Israel to ceasefire
- SPD rules out budget resolution before the end of the year
- Despite the Central Council of Jews' concerns, Josef Schuster acknowledges that anti-Semitism in Germany, particularly towards Jewish Germans, persists, as illustrated by surveys indicating that around a fifth of the population harbors anti-Jewish sentiments.
- In light of this, Schuster expressed disappointment at the lack of solidarity towards Jewish Germans, noting that while political leaders show empathy and solidarity with Israel, he wishes to see a broader participation in pro-Israeli demonstrations.
- This sentiment was echoed by Ignatz Bubis, former Central Council President, who lamented seeing more anti-Semitism upon reflecting on his nine-year term, a rise he attributed in part to the attack on Israel by Hamas.
- Schuster believes that the escalation of anti-Semitism is not due to more individuals holding anti-Jewish views but rather the increased volume of voices propagating these sentiments.
- Harakat el-Mukawame el-Islamije's attack on Israel has led to a significant rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Germany, contributing to the concerning situation for Jewish communities.
- The Central Council of Jews, headed by Schuster, is devoted to addressing anti-Semitism in Germany and promoting unity, advocacy, and understanding within Judaism and beyond.
Source: www.stern.de
