On the 85th anniversary of the National Socialists’ pogrom night, Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on people in Germany to actively oppose the exclusion of Jews. Exclusion has particularly affected Jews for centuries and, despite the disruption to civilization caused by the Holocaust, it continues to do so today, said Scholz at a memorial service by the Central Council of Jews in the Beth Zion synagogue in Berlin. “This is a disgrace. I am deeply outraged and ashamed.”
The President of the Central Council of Jews, Josef Schuster, acknowledged that today, unlike 85 years ago, Jewish life is protected in Germany. But he also emphasized that they don’t want to live behind “protective shields”. “We want to live freely in Germany, in our country, live freely in this open society.”
Attempted arson attack on synagogue after Hamas terrorist attack
In 1938, on the night of November 9th to 10th, the National Socialists began a wave of violence against Jews across the country, which ultimately resulted in the Holocaust, the systematic murder of six million Jews across Europe.
The 85th anniversary was marked by a new wave of anti-Semitic incidents in Germany following the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel. A few days later, an arson attack was attempted on the Beth Zion synagogue in the center of Berlin. In mid-October, two unknown people threw incendiary devices towards the building.
The memorial service in the synagogue therefore took place under massive security precautions. Streets were cordoned off and the police were at the synagogue with snipers and armored cars. The participants included Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Bundestag President Bärbel Bas, several ministers and Israel’s ambassador Ron Prosor, as well as relatives of Hamas hostages in the Gaza Strip.
Scholz threatens migrants with expulsion if they exhibit anti-Semitism
With regard to the recent hostilities against Jews, both Schuster and Scholz said that “something has gotten out of hand.” The Chancellor emphasized that it does not matter whether anti-Semitism is politically or religiously motivated, whether it comes from the left or the right, whether it has grown here or is brought into the country from outside. “Any form of anti-Semitism poisons our society. Just like Islamist demonstrations and rallies now. We do not tolerate anti-Semitism. Nowhere.”
Scholz threatened migrants who behaved in anti-Semitic ways with expulsion. It’s important to be consistent at this point, he said. “And that’s why everyone needs to know: anti-Semitism, anyone who does it also risks losing their residency status.”
Scholz calls the need for “protective shields” unbearable
During his speech, the Chancellor wore a kippah, the usual head covering when visiting a synagogue. Like Federal President Steinmeier before him, he emphasized that the protection of Jewish institutions is both a state task and a civic duty. But that alone is not enough. “If Jews in Germany have to live behind ever larger protective shields, then that is unbearable,” he said, referring to Schuster’s speech. Scholz once again promised that the police and judiciary would take consistent action against any form of anti-Semitism.
He once again assured Israel of Germany’s solidarity in the fight against the terror of the Islamist Hamas. “Germany’s place is on Israel’s side. Israel has the right to defend itself against the barbaric terror of Hamas.” The Chancellor thanked everyone who showed solidarity with the victims of Hamas terror at rallies, vigils or on social networks. “This gives us confidence and strengthens our community.”
Schuster horrified by anti-Israel demonstrations
Schuster expressed his horror at the anti-Jewish hostility and anti-Israel demonstrations in Germany since the Hamas terrorist attack: “Anyone who wants to understand why the terrorist attack on Israel causes deep trauma, fear and uncertainty in the Jewish community, including in Germany, must be aware of what “What’s going on in Jewish souls even 85 years after Kristallnacht, when Stars of David are painted on Jewish houses again, when Jewish businesses are attacked again.”
He pointed to “a parallel in mentality” among radical Islamists and right-wing extremists and also castigated the contempt for lessons from history that he sensed among left-wing extremist and left-wing circles. Behind closed doors, anti-Semitism has penetrated into the middle of society.
What was out of joint could still be repaired, said Schuster. “But to do that you also have to admit to yourself what went wrong in the last few years, what you couldn’t or didn’t want to see.”
