Germany faces anti-Semitism and Islamophobia

Steinmeier invited them to a round table meeting at Bellevue Palace on November 9, 1938. Adolf Hitler When he came to power, that night, thousands of synagogues were burned across the country and 7,500 Jewish businesses were destroyed. The next day they The first 30,000 Jews were deported to Nazi death camps.. It is estimated that six million Jews were killed by the surrender of the Third Reich.

Examples of cohabitation

Freidländer was the guest of honor. He symbolizes reconciliation with today’s Germany, and since returning to his hometown Berlin, now 88, he has been visiting schools and youth forums to deliver his message. But this year’s event wasn’t just a ritualized anniversary. Subtitled “War Middle East. by one Peaceful coexistence in Germany“The German president had invited representatives of this conciliatory spirit, such as the duo formed by the rabbi and the imam, or the owners of the Berlin restaurant Kanaan, the Palestinian Jalil Dabit and the Israeli Oz Ben David, whose presence was not easy at all.”The weather is hot. Emotions burn every moment” said Ben David.

In his first speech, Steinmeier warned of “threatened” coexistence after the “barbaric attack by Hamas” on October 7. He expressed surprise that Jews once again felt unsafe in Germany. antisemitism reflected so far don’t burn the flagSome Jewish businesses painted with Stars of David or expressions of angry anti-Semitism Pro-Palestinian demonstrations. While Home Affairs figures recorded 379 anti-Semitic acts or attacks in the first quarter of the year, the number had already risen to 540 in the third quarter. Security forces set up reinforced security devices in front of any building representing this community; Through years of efforts, we now have 100,000 members in the country.

The right to express or instrumentalize pain

The German president also recognized the right of Palestinians to “express their suffering” for the thousands of civilians killed in the Gaza Strip.Hamas victims and hostages“. But he called do not allow yourself to be “instrumentalized” or “dragged” to calls for unauthorized demonstrations led by Islamic fundamentalism.

This speech, a reflection of Germany’s unconditional commitment to Israel’s right to defense, was very similar to others he has made these days. historical responsibility towards that country.

At the next roundtable, where there was no longer television broadcast but personal access to the media was possible, the scope of the bilateral fight was revealed. Against anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. All this in Germany Far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) It is the second force in voting intentions nationally. The guests of the round table were chosen as examples of living together at opposite poles of radicalism in mosques, guided from afar by Islamic fundamentalism. Many of those present left on the table the accusations of these private initiatives against German institutions or the deficits accumulated due to decades of lack of investment in integration policies.

An uncomfortable hearing

Amid warnings against antisemitism, libel case against Jewish singer and influencer is currently being heard Gil OfarimTwo years ago, the person went viral with a message in which he claimed that he was denied entry to a famous hotel in Leipzig (East Germany) because he was wearing this outfit. star of david around your neck. The accusation caused great excitement in the media; The employee was removed from his position and had to remain anonymous for weeks because he felt threatened. Surveillance footage did not support Ofarin’s version, even if he was wearing the Star of David and there were no eyewitnesses to back it up.

The process began with the confrontation of two versions: Ofarim’s version, which persisted in the anti-Semitic attack; and that of the employee, who depicted the alleged victim as a loud and agitated customer who yelled at him and eventually asked him to leave the premises.

November 9 commemorates in Germany not only the night of the Nazi pogroms, but also the night of 1989, arguably the best night in the country’s recent history. It was one of those Fall of the Berlin wall. After decades of traumatic division, eastern and western citizens were able to cross this border without fear of dying in the attempt. The concrete wall was no longer impassable and the process reunification This led to the signing of the Union Treaty on 3 October 1990. The coincidence of the darkest and happiest anniversaries made it impossible to give the fall of the Wall the status of a national holiday.