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Laschet: "We condemn the anti-Semitic agitation on German streets in the strongest possible way."

2021-05-19T05:36:40.846Z


The conflict between Israel and Hamas is echoed at anti-Semitic rallies on German streets. CDU leader Laschet condemns the hatred of Jews. The federal government is clearly committed to Israel's right to defense.


Enlarge image

Demonstrators at a rally against anti-Semitism in Berlin

Photo: FILIP SINGER / EPA

After the anti-Semitic incidents at pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Germany, the CDU chairman Armin Laschet advocated decisive action.

"We condemn the anti-Semitic agitation on German streets in the strongest possible way," said the politician at a press conference in the Konrad-Adenauer-Haus.

Anti-Semitism - whether from the left, the right or from immigrants - cannot be tolerated in Germany, Laschet added.

In addition, the CDU leader stood behind Israel.

"We stand firmly on Israel's side," he said.

The Hamas bombing must stop: "What is happening is a deliberate provocation by the terrorist Hamas." Laschet called for an end to the violence in the Middle East and a peaceful solution to the conflict.

»End the rocket terror against Israel«

In view of the intensifying violence in the Middle East, the German government has also called for an end to Hamas' aggression. "An end to the rocket terror against Israel," said government spokesman Steffen Seibert in Berlin. "This is terror, which is aimed at killing people at random." Hamas knows that the missile war will not bring about a solution to the Middle East conflict, according to Seibert. Shooting at Israel from densely populated areas and taking the people of Gaza hostage is "cynical".

The situation in the Middle East has been escalating again for a week.

The radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas is massively firing at Israel: According to the Israeli army, around 3,150 rockets have been fired since last Monday.

Israel responded with attacks on the Palestinian Territory.

Air strikes also repeatedly hit civil homes, including an international media company recently.

Ten people have so far been killed in Israel as a result of the rocket fire.

In Gaza, the Ministry of Health puts the number of fatalities at 198, including 58 children.

1300 people were injured.

"We trust that Israel will react with a sense of proportion"

Seibert said with regard to civilian victims in Gaza: "A child who dies in an armed conflict is always a tragedy - regardless of which side." But the federal government stands by Israel and the country's right to protect its people.

"We trust that Israel will react proportionately and with a sense of proportion," said Seibert.

The Middle East conflict also affects Germany.

At the weekend there were rallies, some of which were violent, and several anti-Semitic statements at pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

At a demonstration with 3,500 people in Neukölln, called for by Palestinian groups, rioters threw stones and bottles at the police.

93 police officers were slightly injured and 65 people were provisionally arrested.

Demonstrators shouted, among other things, "child murderer Israel".

"We don't want this poison to come between us"

There is a right to demonstrate in Germany, said Seibert with a view to the rallies.

But you have to make a very precise distinction between expressing legitimate criticism of a government - or stirring up targeted hatred against an entire society.

"What has been heard in Germany in the last few days of hatred of Jews and anti-Semitic abuse is shameful."

The government spokesman described anti-Semitism as "a poison that we must oppose broadly."

It becomes visible with both right-wing extremists and Muslims.

This cannot be countered only with the means of the rule of law: "The vast majority of the population must show that we do not want this poison to come between us."

mrc / asc

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2021-05-19

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