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In a poignant speech at the rededication of a synagogue in Munich, Friedrich Merz, a prominent German politician, addressed the rise of anti-Semitism in the country. The event, attended by Federal Chancellor Markus Söder and Munich Jew Rachel Salamander, who fought for the synagogue's restoration, was mandatory for the state leadership.
Merz began by mentioning Rachel Salamander's life journey, including her upbringing in a postwar camp for homeless Jews in Bavaria. He emphasized her question as a little girl, 'Didn't anyone help the Jews?' This question, he suggested, remains relevant today as Germany grapples with a resurgence of anti-Semitic sentiments in the Jewish community.
The current wave of anti-Semitism, Merz explained, is linked to an increase since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. He described this wave as manifesting both old and new forms of anti-Semitism across society, including in social media and public spaces.
Unlike focusing on the threat from German neo-Nazis, Merz highlighted the threat from non-Germans more loudly. He pointed to immigrants from countries where anti-Semitism is prevalent and where Israel-hatred is taught to children as the source of the anti-Semitic wave in the Jewish community.
Merz's voice faltered as he spoke about the past, acknowledging the vast majority of Germans just looked away during that time. He stressed that ensuring the safety of Jewish people is primarily a police task, but it is also an admission of failure by the state and society that the police must still guard a minority 80 years after liberation from the Nazis.
The newspaper 'Die Tageszeitung,' an independent, left-wing, and opinionated daily newspaper that has been in operation since its foundation in 1979, often presents completely opposing positions, all part of a broad left-wing spectrum. However, Merz's speech was met with understanding and empathy towards the Jewish community suffering from the anti-Semitic wave.
Rachel Salamander, a testament to the resilience of the Jewish community in Munich, continues to fight for the safety and well-being of her community. Her presence at the synagogue rededication served as a reminder of the importance of standing against hate and ensuring a safe and happy life for all Jews in Germany.
