Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has issued warnings from various political viewpoints regarding the increasing presence of antisemitism throughout Germany and Europe. Speaking on Monday at the opening of the Jewish Academy in Frankfurt am Main, the President appealed to all political parties, stressing that antisemitism must never influence government work in Germany, nor should the protection of Jewish life be manipulated for political negotiation. He stated this was his “clear expectation” of all political parties.
The State Head insisted that the “direct, credible, and unambiguous rejection of antisemitism” must remain sacrosanct. He charged that every party has a duty to oppose Jewish hatred across its entire spectrum-from its leadership down to its grassroots members and followers. Steinmeier stated definitively that anyone chanting “Death to the Jews” in the streets or demanding the elimination of the Jewish state should never find acceptance or applause within any political group.
In relation to the Middle East conflict, Steinmeier specifically cautioned against instances of “Jewish hatred that masks itself as criticism or protest” when discussing the region. He emphasized the necessity of clearly distinguishing criticism directed at government policy from genuine hatred. If criticism is used as a vehicle to deny the right to exist to the Jewish community in the State of Israel or to incite violence against them, it has crossed the line into antisemitism.
According to the President, the most crucial method for counteracting antisemitism lies in the field of education. To fend off “disinformation, conspiracy theories, and myths,” Steinmeier argues that a democracy requires “education, dialogue, and community.” He believes that while speaking and listening are vital, dialogue must be rooted in principle-a “dialogue with a stance”-to form the basis of any democratic engagement or search for better coexistence. Furthermore, community is essential for fostering mutual understanding, and coming together is the prerequisite for maintaining unity.
