BERLIN
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has warned against growing anti-Semitism in Europe and called for stronger efforts to combat discrimination against Jews.
Steinmeier made the remarks Thursday at the international Anti-Semitism Conference organized by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
“Anti-Semitism is a stab in the heart of our society. It stands against our civilization, against everything we believe in,” he said.
Representatives from the organization’s 57 member states gathered at the German Foreign Ministry Thursday to mark the tenth anniversary of the Berlin Declaration, which urged member states to take measures against anti-Semitism.
The minister said 10 years after the declaration, hate crimes and discrimination against Jews continue in Germany and other European countries.
“We are appalled by the wave of anti-Semitic hate agitation that we have witnessed in many European cities in the last couple of months,” he said.
“Nothing, not even the dramatic military confrontation in Gaza justifies the attacks we have seen,” he added.
Israel’s assault on Gaza from July to August had sparked widespread protests across Europe during which several extremist and right wing groups chanted anti- Semitic slogans. A number of synagogues were also attacked by Molotov cocktails.
While pro-Israeli groups expressed concern for growing anti-Semitism, some critics argued that there has been an attempt in media to declare almost all criticism of Israel as being anti-Semitic.
Didier Burkhalter, the organization’s chairperson, underlined the significance of freedom of expression for European democracies, but also said this should not be abused.
“Criticizing states, including Israel is legitimate, freedom of expression is a human right that we should all defend,” Burkhalter said.
“But such criticism must never have anti-Semitic undertones and translate into any form of anti-Semitic action,” he added.
Burhalter urged member states to develop monitoring, reporting and law-enforcement capacities to combat anti-Semitism.
The U.S. permanent representative to the U.N., Ambassador Samantha Power, also called for clear distinctions between legitimate acts of political expression and anti-Semitism.
“Governments must allow space for people’s views to be aired in public sphere whether in a conversation or at protests,” Power said.
“Just there is a way to express criticisms of Palestinian policies and actions without expressing Islamophobic views or attacking Muslims, so is there a way to express criticism of Israeli policies and actions without making anti-Semitic remarks,” she added.
The Anti-Semitism Conference in Berlin brought together more than 300 diplomats, activists, experts and representatives from 57 countries.
At a civil society forum Wednesday, representatives of NGOs had agreed on a 19-point paper involving recommendations for intensifying the fight against anti-Semitism.
The recommendations included, reviewing and enforcing legislation countering anti-Semitism; promoting media literacy and supporting efforts of civil society networks to combat anti-Semitism.
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