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Jeremy Issacharoff (in August 2020)
Photo: CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP
The Israeli ambassador to Germany, Jeremy Issacharoff, is deeply concerned about the anti-Semitic rallies and anti-Jewish protests in Germany.
"It is disturbing to see these pictures," said Issacharoff on Sunday evening of the "Bild" newspaper, referring to "unbelievable anti-Semitic statements" at the rallies.
The ambassador also praised the clear stance of the political leadership in Germany.
Since the start of the rocket attacks by Hamas "we have received very extraordinary messages of support from politicians in Germany."
He mentioned Chancellor Angela Merkel, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer and the Chancellor candidates Armin Laschet (CDU / CSU), Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and Olaf Scholz (SPD) by name.
He was also assured that "everything will be done to stop demonstrations at which, for example, Israeli flags are burned."
"I'll take her at her word." At the same time he expressed doubts as to whether such incidents can be prevented in any case.
An Israeli flag was burned in Mannheim on Saturday after a rally was broken off.
The police said that the perpetrator was arrested and reported for incitement to hatred.
Interior Minister promises tough crackdown
Seehofer had recently announced that he wanted to use the "full rigor of the rule of law" against anti-Semitism.
"We will not tolerate Israeli flags burning on German soil and attacking Jewish facilities," he said.
In view of ongoing attacks and anti-Israel demonstrations, he will offer the police in the federal states personnel and material support from the federal government.
At the weekend there were pro-Palestinian and some pro-Israeli demonstrations in several German cities.
Especially on Saturday afternoon, there were riots at a rally in Berlin-Neukölln with around 3,500 people at times.
In Frankfurt am Main, the police spoke of a largely peaceful protest march with around 2,500 people.
The main trigger for the demonstrations was the escalation of violence between Israel and the Hamas group in the Gaza Strip.
jok / Reuters
