Latest news with #CentralCouncilofJewsin
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jewish leader calls for 'caution' as German criticism of Israel rises
The Central Council of Jews in Germany has called for "caution" amid mounting German criticism of the Israeli military's actions in Gaza. "I call for caution in the debate: Politicians should avoid using anti-Semitic narratives that relativize hatred of Jews by referring to Israel's conduct of the war," Central Council President Josef Schuster told dpa on Tuesday. Schuster said he did not oppose Chancellor Friedrich Merz's rare rebuke of the Israeli government on Monday, agreeing that "civilian casualties must be minimized as much as possible and humanitarian aid for the civilian population in Gaza is necessary." But he warned that the fight against the Hamas "terrorist militia" is existential for Israel, and said that Jews in Germany must not be collectively made responsible for the Israeli military's actions. "This exonerates all the Jew-haters who follow precisely this anti-Semitic logic," said Schuster. "The result is a normalization of Israel-related anti-Semitism, which worries the Jewish community in Germany." "In this fight, Germany must stand unwaveringly by Israel's side," he added. Schuster said Hamas bears responsibility for the suffering in Gaza, and could end it by releasing the hostages and laying down its weapons.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Commemorations held in Bergen-Bergen, Flossenbürg concentration camps
Commemorative events were held in the former Nazi concentration camps in Bergen-Belsen and Flossenbürg on Sunday to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the camps. Politicians and contemporary witnesses recalled the atrocities. Lower Saxony's Minister President Stephan Weil made an appeal for "Never again is now" at the event in the Lüneburg Heath. Never again should the dignity and lives of people in Germany be trampled underfoot, never again should human rights be disregarded, never again should arbitrariness take the place of justice, said Weil. "That is the lesson to be learnt from the murder of so many millions of people, that is the mission of the commemoration and remembrance of these events." The Bergen-Belsen concentration camp was liberated by the British army on April 15, 1945. Around 53,000 people were liberated, but for many, help came too late. Among them was Anne Frank, whose diary brought home to many the sufferings of the Jews in occupied Europe. She is buried in one of the mass graves at the camp. In total, around 52,000 people died in the camp and immediately after liberation, in addition to almost 20,000 deaths in the neighbouring prisoner of war camp. In his speech, Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor addressed the survivors directly. "With your strength, with your courage and with your lives, you are a triumph over inhumanity. We are indebted to you, the survivors. And to the murdered." Former German president Christian Wulff and President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, were among the guests.
