Community Day in Berlin
Steinmeier: “Germany remains a home for Jews”
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks at the start of the Jewish Community Day in Berlin. photo
© Joerg Carstensen/dpa
Jews from all over Germany meet for the community day in Berlin. Actually a happy occasion. But the gloomy mood of the past few weeks also weighs on us here.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has pledged full support to Jews following recent anti-Semitic incidents. Germany will remain a home for Jews, and he is personally committed to this, said Steinmeier on Thursday evening at the start of the Jewish Community Day in Berlin. The President of the Central Council of Jews, Josef Schuster, warned that it was becoming increasingly difficult to feel like you belong in Germany.
Since Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, a sharp increase in anti-Semitic incidents has also been reported in Germany, including hostility, insults, the marking of residential buildings with Stars of David and an attempted arson attack on a Berlin synagogue. Anti-Israel slogans were shouted and posters were displayed during demonstrations.
Steinmeier condemns hate
Steinmeier emphasized that hatred of Jews and the goal of wiping out the state of Israel cannot be justified. “It shocks me and makes me angry that such anti-Semitism also exists 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 shouldn’t be allowed to happen and that won’t be the case.”
Central Council President Schuster admitted that he was distressed by the fact that Jews in our country increasingly felt less of a sense of belonging. But he also emphasized that the community conference sends a message: “We Jews will not allow ourselves to be defeated. Never! Anyone who hates Jews, ladies and gentlemen, is cordially invited to leave our country – Germany. We will definitely not step down to the side. We stand up for our right to live in peace, in freedom and without fear. We will not hide. We do not want to hide. No, we are proud Jews!”
At the opening event, Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor acknowledged that the German government supports the Jewish community and protects Jewish life at all levels. 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 come to Berlin for the community day. The meeting lasts until Sunday. The motto is “Living Together”. A number of politicians have been invited, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU). Workshops, discussions, lectures, prayers and a gala evening are planned on Saturday.
After the corona pandemic, it is the first such meeting since 2019. According to official information, around 95,000 people belong to the Jewish communities in Germany.