German President warns against resurgence of antisemitism

Berlin Dec 16 (IANS) German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has warned against growing antisemitism in the country.

Speaking on Friday at an event in Berlin marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel Steinmeier said that hatred of Jews was an evil that appeared in "many guises" Xinhua news agency reported.

Steinmeier s comments were made in reference to protests in several cities throughout Germany which were sparked by US President Donald Trump s controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Joining the debate on Friday Steinmeier argued that Germany s historical responsibility towards Jews as consequence of the holocaust applied to all of its inhabitants regardless of their origins.

This responsibility was "non-negotiable for all of those who live in Germany and want to live here " the German President said.

Steinmeier outlined his definition of unacceptable antisemitism as including incendiary speech and actions but also the maintenance and propagation stereotypes.

"Antisemitism must not have a place in this Federal Republic " the president said.

Nevertheless Steinmeier expressed his scepticism that "the unilateral recognition of Jerusalem would contribute to a peaceful Middle East."

--IANS
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