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Alexander Dobrindt: CSU calls for a ban on expected anti-Semitic demonstrations
Photo: Michael Kappeler / dpa
Burning Israel flags and anti-Israel slogans: anti-Semitic attacks broke out at pro-Palestinian rallies in several German cities over the weekend.
In view of the incidents, the CSU in the Bundestag has now asked the federal states to consider a ban on future demonstrations with foreseeable anti-Semitic riots.
"If it is to be expected that anti-Semitism, flag burning, the chanting of hate slogans will take place, then these are clearly expected criminal offenses that justify banning these demonstrations," said CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt in Berlin.
He does not want to see incidents like last weekend again.
Anti-Israel riots broke out during demonstrations in several German cities.
The occasion was the military conflict in the Middle East with the rocket fire from the Gaza Strip on Israel and the Israeli counter-attacks.
Dobrindt described the incidents at the demonstrations as "disgusting" and said: "Arrests, convictions and expulsions must be the result of this behavior." Burning flags could be punished with up to two years in prison.
"I expect this sentence to apply now." He also wanted to find out from the federal states how many such crimes there were over the past weekend.
If those involved also have German citizenship, then the question should be how they could obtain it, said Dobrindt.
He also wanted answers to the question of how the issue of anti-Semitism was dealt with in naturalization procedures.
Warning to dismiss anti-Semitism as a purely immigrant problem
Leading CDU politicians had already spoken of "immigrant anti-Semitism" on Monday.
CDU General Secretary Paul Ziemiak said there was anti-Semitism in Germany from three areas: right-wing extremism, left-wing extremism and immigration.
These days it comes mainly from young men who are "fueled" by Muslim extremists.
"All three areas need to be seen and resolved to face them."
CDU boss Armin Laschet had made a similar statement.
He spoke of "immigrant anti-Semitism".
Laschet warned that every German citizen - "whether he immigrated, was born here or was naturalized here" - is committed to Germany's historically grown responsibility for Israel.
Politicians from other parties also condemned anti-Jewish statements and attacks after the recent escalation of the Middle East conflict - but warned against dismissing anti-Semitism as a purely immigrant problem.
asc / dpa