Before the 85th anniversary of the Nazi pogrom night of 1938, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier promised the Jews in Germany that they would be protected by the state and society. “I want to assure you that this country will not rest as long as you have to fear for your safety and the safety of your children,” he said in Berlin.
He appealed to the people with Palestinian and Arab roots living here: “Don’t let Hamas’ accomplices exploit you. Speak for yourself. Clearly reject terror.”
Steinmeier expressed concern about how much the violence in the Middle East is also endangering social peace in Germany. He was horrified by the endorsement of terror and the anti-Semitic agitation on German streets. “We will not tolerate anti-Semitism in our country – no old or new, no Christian or Muslim, no left or right,” emphasized the Federal President.
Merkel: “Jews must be able to feel safe in Germany”
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) also made very similar comments. “The fight against every form of anti-Semitism – from the right, from the left and motivated by Islamism – is our state and civic duty,” said a statement distributed by her office. “Jews must be able to feel safe in Germany.”
Steinmeier warned that internal peace in Germany cannot be taken for granted. “We have to defend him wherever we see him injured and endangered. And everyone must now make this inner peace their personal matter.”
Under the heading “War in the Middle East: For peaceful coexistence in Germany,” Steinmeier invited Jews and Muslims, Israelis and Palestinians to a round table in Bellevue Palace – people who “live together,” as he said.
There were also Holocaust survivors among the guests
Among them: Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer. When Steinmeier asked what message she had for the challenging weeks and months ahead, the 102-year-old answered with a faltering voice and the wisdom of her long life: “Be human!” And: “Don’t let others infect you.” What happened cannot be changed. “But if people are people, they won’t do things like that.”
For example, the Palestinian Jalil Dabit and the Israeli Oz Ben David, who have been running a restaurant together in Berlin for years, were also invited. Or the Rabbi Elias Dray and the Imam Ender Cetin, who promote peaceful coexistence between religions in school classes.
The German-Israeli Shai Hoffmann and the Palestinian-born Jouanna Hassoun also work together to promote understanding in schools. “We can’t solve the Middle East conflict anyway,” said Hassoun. “But what we can do is: Here in Germany and also in our hometown of Berlin, we want to ensure that Jewish people and Palestinian people meet on equal terms. We show that. We also set an example.”
Round table in response to incitement against Israel
With the round table, Steinmeier responded to the incitement against Israel and Jews, for example during demonstrations. This has increased sharply since the terrorist organization Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th and the Israeli army’s counterattack. According to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health, the war has cost the lives of well over 10,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian community in Germany should have space to show and share their pain and despair over the civilian victims in Gaza, said Steinmeier. “The right to do this publicly and peacefully is guaranteed by our constitution – and this right is not in question,” he emphasized. “But terrorism, incitement and calls for the destruction of the State of Israel are not part of this guarantee, and I expect us to stand together against it.”
