After the attack in the hall, the Director of the American Jewish Committee, David Harris says: Germany had underestimated the danger to the Jews for a long time. It was important to show strength in the fight against anti-Semitism.
People Express their condolences in front of the synagogue in the hall with flowers and candles
Deutsche Welle: Mr Harris, the Germans are still in shock after the attack in Halle, an armed man tried to be in a synagogue to penetrate, and subsequently, two passers-by shot. What needs to happen now?
David Harris: The tragedy in the hall was a painful and sobering reminder of the very real threat of anti-Semitism in Germany. It also shows that the security tightened up arrangements and the police response time must be shortened. Only a few days earlier, another terrorist was foiled attack against a Berlin synagogue by security forces. What both attacks have in common is the fact that they are done out of hatred of Jews. The difference is that the culprit seems to be in the hall of the extreme Right, while the offender was in Berlin, probably a Syrian refugee. The doctrine that the German authorities now is that you need to have a close eye on the threat to Jews from a variety of sources. There is still much to do.
David Harris
The number of antisemitic Offences in Germany, also in part by the Migration from Arab countries. Are you confident that Germany will bring such incidents under control?
The growing anti-Semitism in Germany is not only for the Jewish community a great challenge, but also for German society. In the last years Germany has made it is very proud that many of the Jews drew, and these were no longer afraid, in view of the past. But now, where anti-Semitic incidents increase significantly and it is official that Jews who wear a yarmulke are not quite sure, not to grow the care (Harris, plays to the statement of the Commissioner for Jewish life in Germany, Felix Klein, that it recommend to the Jews, to wear anytime, anywhere, in Germany, the kippah. Note. d. Red.). Whether the hatred of the extreme Right, or migrants, or from somewhere else, Germany must face up to this disease and overcome it.
What exactly does Germany have to do in your opinion?
My impression is that Germany, like some other European countries, the danger to the Jews long underestimated. It is time to Wake up and see the danger clearly. After in the postwar years, so much for the reconstruction of Jewish life in Germany was made, it would be a great tragedy if Germany would again be regarded as a dangerous place to live and Pray for the Jews. Only a few months ago, the German anti-Semitism, said representative (i.e., Felix Klein, editor’s note. d. Red.),that the country could not guarantee the safety of Jews, identifying themselves as such, longer, and called on them to exercise caution. We are convinced that this was a mistake because it showed weakness and not a strength in the fight against anti-Semitism. It is time to show strength.
Only a few Jews in Germany show with Kippa in Germany recognize
After the Second world war, Germany adopted a pacifist attitude. You think this is a good or inappropriate?
As a child of Holocaust Survivors I find myself in the rather ironic Position to say that I spending for higher defense and money from this budget to our collective defense. The I say only, because I trust in today’s Germany, after I was in there over the years spent a lot of time I have. Since 1994, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the German military have a unique connection, whose 25th anniversary we Are celebrating this year.
US President, Donald Trump is a close ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But Trump is also a good advocate for Jews in the world?
As an impartial organization, it is not the AJC to talk about the content, about the persons or parties from democratic countries. American Jews are deeply divided when it comes to Trumps overall appearance. But from the point of view of Israel and its leadership great satisfaction in how he is positioned within the American-Israeli relations, as the US vote at the United Nations and how they behave in relation to the threat posed by Iran.
Some claim that due to Trump the Two-state solution, have no future. The Europeans are critical. What would you recommend to a country such as Poland, the between the White house and Brussels and is torn?
It is more complicated by far than you could say, Trump is for the dwindling Chance of a Two-state solution. The really responsible party is the Palestinian leadership that rejected the 1947 to an offer to the other. The result is that less Israelis believe in the possibility of such a solution, as long as it has no serious and credible Partner – as much as you like, it is your choice also. Generally, Poland and Europe should understand, in my opinion, Israel’s real challenges and dilemmas in terms of safety and effort, in advance, only even better. Second, you should pay more attention to how “the day after”, the time might look like after the conclusion of a peace agreement. In other words: Europe can offer to help in the narrow space between Israel to the West and Jordan in the East, not a failed Palestinian state. This could be an important contribution in Europe.
Why focus AJC on Europe with regard to the issue of Hezbollah?
In 2013, after many years of denial, has been classified by the European Union, the so-called “military wing” of Hezbollah as a terrorist group, but not the so-called “political wing.” This is an Illusion. The Hezbollah is one organization, not two. She also says of himself. And also the USA, Canada, the Arab League and others do not. In order to show in the war against Terror, which takes place on European soil, real determination, it should exit the EU, under the leadership of Germany 2013, the work started. In addition, Hezbollah is an anti-Semitic organization calling for Israel’s destruction. Germany is committed to the fight against anti-Semitism, to support the security of Israel. This is also why Germany should take on the Hezbollah issue in Europe in the lead.
The interview was conducted by Magdalena Gwozdz-Pallokat.
-
Attacks on synagogues in GermanyWave of graffiti
In December 1959, the synagogue in Cologne, Germany becomes the attack target of the extreme right-wing party, the DRP. Two of its members, swastikas and the words “paint German demand: Jews, get out” on the building. It follows a wave of anti-Semitic graffiti across the country. The perpetrators are convicted. Under the impression of the incidents, the German Bundestag adopted the law against sedition.
-
Attacks on synagogues in GermanyThe first fire victim after decades
The attack on the synagogue in Lübeck in March 1994, triggers world-wide horror. For the first Time in decades, a synagogue is on fire. The perpetrators: four men from the radical right-wing Milieu – all be condemned. On the following day 4000 lübeck under the Motto “Lübeck holds its breath” on the road. In 1995, the synagogue is again the victim of an arson attack.
-
Attacks on synagogues in GermanyStone’s throw to the Old synagogue in Essen
With paving stones, armed with about 100 Palestinians from the Lebanon attack in October 2000, the Old synagogue in Essen. The incident occurred after a Demonstration against “the violence in the middle East”. Up on a police officer no one is hurt. The Deputy General delegate of Palestine in Germany, Mahmoud Alaeddin, clearly dissociates himself from the attack.
-
Attacks on synagogues in GermanyAfter the fact: “uprising of the Decent”
With Molotov cocktails and stones, a 19-year-old Palestinians and a 20-year-old Moroccans damage in October 2000, the New düsseldorf synagogue. Their act was an act of revenge against Jews and the state of Israel. Chancellor Schröder responded with the words: “We need an uprising of the Decent (…)”. The Federal government, Länder and NGOs to initiate new actions against extremism.
-
Attacks on synagogues in GermanyAttack on synagogue in Mainz
Shortly after its inauguration, in the night from the 30. as of December 31. In October 2010, an arson attack on the New synagogue in Mainz perpetrated. Known to be the building is because of its spectacular deconstructivist design by architect Manuel Herz. The new building is located at the site of the former Mainzer’s main synagogue, which had been inserted in the pogrom night of 1938 in a fire.
-
Attacks on synagogues in GermanyA non-anti-Semitic synagogue attack?
Three young Palestinians throw in July 2014, an incendiary against the entry door of the synagogue in Wuppertal, Germany. A court’s verdict, however: There is “no evidence” that the young men were anti-Semitic set table. Jews in Germany as well as foreign media are outraged. The Chairman of the Jewish community of Wuppertal, explained that this was “an invitation to further crime”.
-
Attacks on synagogues in GermanyAttack in Berlin prevented
Only on 4. October climbs in Berlin, a man on the Fence of the synagogue in the Oranienburger Straße and pulls out a knife. The security staff can overpower the attacker. His motive is still unclear. In 1943, the synagogue in Berlin was destroyed by bombs. The ruins of the great synagogue was demolished in 1970, the front end produced in the 1990s.
-
Attacks on synagogues in GermanyAttack in the hall on Yom Kippur
Around 80 people are on 9. October 2019 tries in the synagogue hall, to storm as an assassin. According to the police shot and killed two passers-by, several are wounded; the assassin is taken shortly afterwards. The alleged perpetrator is supposed to be a 27-year-old German right-wing extremist Background. This is not the first anti-Semitic act, after 1945.