|
German Chancellor Angel Merkel Fights Anti-Semitism
by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700
Copyright
September 6, 2014
All Rights Reserved.
Spiraling anti-Semitic attacks in Germany—and other
spots in the U.K and Europe—prompted 60-year-old German Chancellor Angela Merkel
to co-host a rally at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate to fight anti-Semitism. Prompted largely by the Israeli-Gaza
war, the source of anti-Semitic attacks has changed from “skin head,” Neo-Nazis
to practicing Muslims, something also taking place in France and the U.K. When Germany was
resurrected after the Nazi holocaust, every German government has been committed
to making amends to Jews and other minorities oppressed by the Nazi, instituting
the toughest anti-hate laws on the planet.
Symbols of Germany’s Nazi past have been made illegal together with any
group or individual attempts to spread hate over race, religion or ethnicity. Merkel showed her commitment against
anti-Semitism and rebuilding the Jewish community in Germany.
Before the Nazi purges of Jews in Germany beginning in earnest with
Kristallnacht Nov. 9, 1941 census figures showed more than 500,000 German Jews,
some figures above 1.5 million.
Jewish migration in Germany started in the 5th Century, prospering under
Charlemagne [King of the Franks] during the late 700s, eventually peaking out
before the Nazi dictatorship cemented itself in 1933. By the time Adolf Hitler became
Chancellor of Germany Aug. 2, 1934, Germany’s Jewish population was steadily
shrinking since Hitler took over the anti-Semitic National Socialist German
Workers Party in 1921. Centuries of
German accomplishments in science, arts, literature, architecture and culture
were indistinguishable from Jewish accomplishments. Hitler’s purge of Jews accomplished
his totalitarian control, gutting Jewish accomplishments making Germany Europe’s
most prosperous country.
Merkel understands that profound impact Jews made in German history and
has engineered a formidable revival, inviting Jews to return to Germany to again
take part in Germany’s prosperity.
Growing up in Russian-controlled East Berlin, few knew the desolation of Soviet
Communism more than Merkel. Paving
the way, one brick at a time, for the restoration of Jews in Germany has been a
great goal of Merkel. “I will
personally do everything I can—as well my entire government—to ensure that
anti-Semitism doesn’t have a chance in our country,” said Merkel, urging Germans
of all faiths to show up at the Brandenburg rally against anti-Semitism. Merkel has taken pride in expanding
Jewish culture in Germany, building the current Jewish population to over
200,000. She doesn’t want isolated
anti-Semitic incidents stemming from Mideast discontent to derail the current
trend.
Germany’s—and indeed the U.K and European Union’s—sizable Mideast
populations react to events in the Mideast, especially Israel’s ongoing battles
with its Arab neighbors. Merkel has
blasted publicly former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for hosting a
Holocaust Deniers conference in Tehran Dec. 11, 2005 only a year after taking
office Nov. 22, 2006. She told
Ahmadinejad that Germans don’t deny Nazi atrocities against Jews before and
during WW II. “We’re proud and
pleased that it was possible for that to grow in recent years,” said Merkel,
determined to welcome Jews back to Germany.
Sponsoring the rally with the Central Council of Jews, Merkel hopes
reinforce anti-Semitism as a German crime.
“Hopefully there will be as many people as possible there to show that
everyone who lives here will be protected,” said Merkel showing her true colors.
Merkel’s crusade against anti-Semitism or discrimination stems from her
generation’s responsibility of owning Germany’s Nazi past. Any cursory read of Hitler’s “Mein
Kamph” shows his contempt of average German workers, advocating
anti-Semitism—and his Final Solution—as the path toward totalitarian control of
Germany. Merkel recognizes
Germany’s indistinguishable history of German-Jewish accomplishment and wants
that same prosperity in the future.
“We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us,” Merkel said. “We can see that there is not a
single Jewish institution here [in Germany] that doesn’t have police
protection—that’s something that very much concerns me. Merkel can’t control Israel’s
foreign policy, nor can she control Palestinians’ ongoing violence or, as Gaza’s
leader says, Hamas’s Ismail Haniyeh, the “right of resistance.”
Merkel’s public commitment to combating anti-Semitism tells less
responsible leaders in the Arab World to stop spewing racial, ethnic and
religious hatred. Holding out the
welcome mat to Jews helps make amends for past German mistakes, but, more
importantly, brings responsible, talented Jewish citizens back to Germany. Watching attacks on Jewish schools,
synagogues and community centers shows that Merkel has a big job ahead. With growing Islamic populations
living in Germany and Europe, it’s easy for disgruntled groups to mix up Israeli
politics with Germany’s free practice of religion. Running a 74% approval ratings
shows the vast majority of German’s agree with Merkel’s policies, including
strict laws that punish anti-Semitism and hate crimes. Leading the fight in Germany against
anti-Semitism, Merkel proves that principled leadership pays off.
About the Author
|
