At the beginning of the Hanukkah Festival of Lights, Chancellor Scholz called for compassion and solidarity with the Jews in Germany. This is particularly important these days, he said in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has emphasized that Jewish life is “inseparably” part of Germany. The state will protect Jewish communities in Germany, says the Chancellor at a Hanukkah event at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
“The fact that this is necessary after the terrorist attacks by Hamas and the reactions to them is sad and frightening at the same time,” said the SPD politician, referring to the increase in anti-Semitic crimes.
We do not accept it when Jewish fellow citizens have to be afraid to openly live their religion, their culture, their everyday life, when they exercise their fundamental right to be visible – a right that all people in our society have, without Difference.
The Hanukkah candles at the Brandenburg Gate are a “symbol of the inseparable belonging of the Jewish faith and fellow Jewish citizens to this, our country.”
Compassion and solidarity “particularly important these days”
In the afternoon, Scholz lit the first candle of the large Hanukkah menorah at the Brandenburg Gate. The guests at the ceremony included, among others, Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD), Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU), the Israeli ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, and the family of Israeli Itai Svirsky, who was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.
“Hanukkah stands for hope and confidence – we especially need both these days,” said Scholz. Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel “has deeply shocked us all.” It is directed “against humanity itself.” Hamas is trying to “dehumanize and dehumanize” its victims. There is nothing to justify or relativize about this. The Chancellor emphasized that showing compassion and solidarity with Israel and the Jewish community is particularly important these days. In this way, “each and every one of us can answer the words ‘Never again!’ give strength”.
Rabbi Teichtal: “Confronting the darkness of terror with light”
Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal of the Jewish community Chabad Berlin said, “Especially this year, after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7th, it is more important than ever to be united and to meet the darkness of terror with light.” . He praised Germany and Scholz as beacons of democracy and called for: “More light, more joy, more Jewish consciousness, that is our answer.”
The approximately ten meter high candlestick has been installed in front of the Brandenburg Gate since 2008. During the holidays, a new candle is lit there every day as darkness falls. The festival begins this Thursday evening and ends on December 15th.
Hundreds of anti-Semitic incidents have been registered in Germany in the past few weeks. Many Jews report fears. Strict security precautions were in place for the ceremony and Pariser Platz was largely cordoned off.