Steinmeier: "Germany remains a home for Jews"

Community Day in Berlin - Steinmeier: "Germany remains a home for Jews"

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has assured Jews of his full support following recent anti-Semitic incidents. Steinmeier said on Thursday evening at the start of the Jewish Community Day in Berlin that Germany would remain a home for Jews and that he was personally committed to this. The President of the Central Council of Jews, Josef Schuster, warned that it was increasingly difficult to feel a sense of belonging in Germany.

Since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, a sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents has also been reported in Germany, including hostility, verbal abuse, the marking of residential buildings with Stars of David and an attempted arson attack on a Berlin synagogue. Anti-Israeli slogans were shouted and posters displayed at demonstrations.

Steinmeier condemns hatred

Steinmeier emphasized that hatred of Jews and the goal of wiping out the state of Israel cannot be justified by anything. "It shocks me and makes me angry that there is such anti-Semitism here in Germany, again and again, in Germany of all places." He knows of pupils and students who no longer dare to go to their school or university, who no longer openly show their Jewishness. "That must not and will not happen."

Central Council President Schuster admitted that he was saddened by the fact that Jews in our country felt less and less like they belonged. But he also emphasized that the Community Day sends a message: "We Jews will not let ourselves be beaten down. Never! Anyone who hates Jews, ladies and gentlemen, is welcome to leave our country - Germany. We will certainly not stand aside. We are standing up for our right to live in peace, in freedom and without fear. We will not hide. We will not hide. No, we are proud Jews!"

At the launch event, Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor praised the fact that the German government supports the Jewish community at all levels and protects Jewish life. Now it is important to pass this on from the government level to the population, said the ambassador.

From Olaf Scholz to Annalena Baerbock

According to the Central Council of Jews, more than 1,400 participants from all over Germany are coming to Berlin for the Community Day. The meeting lasts until Sunday. The motto is "Living together". A number of politicians have been invited, including Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister President Hendrik Wüst (CDU). Workshops, discussions, lectures, prayers and a gala evening on Saturday are planned.

It is the first such meeting since 2019 following the coronavirus pandemic. According to official figures, around 95,000 people belong to the Jewish communities in Germany.