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WDR radio station in Cologne: transmitter announces talks
Photo: Oliver Berg / dpa
Nemi El-Hassan, future presenter of the WDR science program »Quarks«, has distanced herself from her participation in an Al-Kuds demo several years ago.
"To take part in the Al-Kuds demos in Berlin seven years ago was a mistake," El-Hassan wrote in a statement to the dpa news agency.
The "Bild" newspaper had previously reported on the 28-year-olds' participation in the demo.
At the annual Al-Kuds demonstrations in Berlin, anti-Semitic slogans were repeatedly shouted and symbols of the pro-Iranian Lebanese Hezbollah movement were shown. On Al-Kuds Day, which falls at the end of the Muslim month of Ramadan, Iran calls for the conquest of Jerusalem (in Arabic: Al-Kuds) every year. The background is the occupation of East Jerusalem by Israel during the Six Day War in 1967.
The statement by the 28-year-old goes on to say: "Under no circumstances did I utter anti-Semitic slogans during the demonstration, nor did I physically attack people of Jewish faith." to position oneself against hatred and violence.
Her concern was to express solidarity with Palestinians.
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Quarks presenter Nemi El-Hassan: "Against hatred and violence"
Photo: Maurizio Gambarini / dpa
“The means were wrong, I say that emphatically today.
I therefore distance myself clearly and expressly from the Al-Quds demos and other demonstrations in a similar context.
I condemn all anti-Semitic statements and actions, all kinds of violence and especially the violence that took place at these demonstrations, «El-Hassan writes.
WDR announces talks
A few days ago the West German Broadcasting Corporation (WDR) announced El-Hassan as the new presenter for the science program "Quarks".
Your first broadcast is planned for November.
El-Hassan is a journalist, media maker and doctor.
She is also part of the founding team of the public YouTube channel “Datteltäter”, which produced satirical videos about prejudice against Muslims.
The WDR initially stood behind its presenter, but announced further discussions: “We noticed Nemi El-Hassan as a committed journalist on Funk and ZDF.
Because of her work as a medical journalist, we offered her the moderation of Quarks. «She has now informed the WDR about her participation in the Al-Kuds demonstration in 2014.
"We are still in contact with Nemi El-Hassan," wrote the broadcaster on Twitter.
rai / dpa
