Berlin's Mayor Michael Müller (SPD) meets with harsh criticism for a planned meeting with his Tehran colleague Prooz Hanachi. The Kurdish community of Germany demanded as well as CDU chief Kai Wegner and the Berlin US embassy to cancel the meeting scheduled for Friday.
"Anti-Semitic agitators may not be courted in Berlin," Wegner said. Hanachi is said to have participated in anti-Semitic Al-Kuds marches. "On these marches was and is announced to this day the existence of the State of Israel, the fight," criticized the CDU politician.
Iran demands the destruction of Israel, violates human rights and persecutes sexual and religious minorities, wrote the US Embassy on Twitter. "Mayor Müller, either cancel Mayor Hanachi's visit or call on Tehran to end these practices."
Iran calls for the destruction of Israel, persistently violates human rights, persecutes LGBTI people and religious minorities, and unjustly holds foreign detainees.
Mayor Müller, either call off Mayor Hanachi's visit or demand Tehran's end practices. # FreeBobLevinson https://t.co/WQ7HZgmkQZ
Although it was important "to keep communication channels open even to problematic partners," said the vice-chairman of the Kurdish community, Mehmet Tanriverdi. "But a receipt in all protocol honors for a criminal should be waived."
Hanachi is to visit Berlin on Friday
Hanachi visits Berlin on Friday and is greeted by the Senate of Müller. The Tehran mayor also enters the city's Golden Book. Iranian Ambassador Mahmoud Farazandeh accompanies him.
It is "two highly controversial representatives of the Iranian injustice regime," said Tanriverdi. This stands for "oppression, disregard for human rights as well as aggression policy and Israel hatred". The planned reception sends a "disastrous signal to all opposition forces" in Iran.
Also the association value initiative - Jewish-German positions criticized the visit. "Please be aware that this visit will further stabilize and legitimize the mullahs' regime instead of strengthening the democratic opposition," the initiative wrote in a letter to Muller. Among other things, this promotes terrorism, destabilizes the Middle East, spreads hatred of Israel and Jews and oppresses women.
