Josef Schuster: “Jewish life in Germany is under massive threat”

The President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, warned of the dangers posed by right-wing extremism on the occasion of the publication of a new report by the Office of the protection of the constitution.

The new report on the protection of the constitution was presented by Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and President of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution Thomas Haldenwang.

According to the assessment of the constitution protection authorities, the greatest danger to democracy in Germany is right-wing extremism.

“The new report on the protection of the constitution shows that Jewish life in Germany continues to be massively threatened. The greatest danger comes from the right-wing extremist scene,” Schuster emphasised.

“The number of antisemitic crimes committed by right-wing extremists alone has increased by around twelve percent compared to the previous year.

Furthermore, Schuster lamented that hatred against Jews and the state of Israel continues to spread on a massive scale.

According to him, all possibilities must be exhausted to prevent antisemitic crimes in advance. Likewise, he said, a police crackdown on antisemitic incidents is urgently needed.

In order to be able to curb hatred of Jews in the long term, comprehensive support for civil society engagement by the state is necessary.

“I therefore hope,” emphasised the Central Council President, “that the Democracy Promotion Act planned by the Federal Government can be passed soon.”

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