German Lawmakers Vow to Step up Fight Against Anti-Semitism
Nearly 70 years after the Nazis' infamous 1938 pogrom against the Jews, German lawmakers reaffirmed Germany's commitment to combating anti-Semitism. But the debate revealed deep party rifts.
Condemning anti-Semitism is something nearly all German politicians agree on, regardless of party ties. And on Tuesday, Nov. 4 -- five days prior to the anniversary of the Night of Broken Glass pogrom -- members from all parliamentary fractions signed a declaration emphasizing Germany's commitment to funding projects that counter anti-Semitism, improve education, and reduce anti-Semitic crime.
The declaration calls on the German government to commission a regular report on anti-Semitic activity and attitudes in the country. It also calls for long-term funding for projects that have proven successful in combating anti-Semitism. School curricula covering Judaism, Jewish history and modern-day Israel are to be expanded as well.
Though all parties agreed on the content of the document, Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Party (CDU), together with its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU), refused to sign the same paper as the hard-line socialist Left party.
As a result, two identical declarations were passed -- one by the Left party and the other by the four remaining parties represented in the Bundestag. The Left Party is made up of former disaffected Social Democrats and former East German communists.
Read entire article at Deutsche Welle
Condemning anti-Semitism is something nearly all German politicians agree on, regardless of party ties. And on Tuesday, Nov. 4 -- five days prior to the anniversary of the Night of Broken Glass pogrom -- members from all parliamentary fractions signed a declaration emphasizing Germany's commitment to funding projects that counter anti-Semitism, improve education, and reduce anti-Semitic crime.
The declaration calls on the German government to commission a regular report on anti-Semitic activity and attitudes in the country. It also calls for long-term funding for projects that have proven successful in combating anti-Semitism. School curricula covering Judaism, Jewish history and modern-day Israel are to be expanded as well.
Though all parties agreed on the content of the document, Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Party (CDU), together with its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU), refused to sign the same paper as the hard-line socialist Left party.
As a result, two identical declarations were passed -- one by the Left party and the other by the four remaining parties represented in the Bundestag. The Left Party is made up of former disaffected Social Democrats and former East German communists.