Jews 'don't feel safe' three years after October 7, Germany’s new antisemitism czar tells 'Post'
ANTISEMITISM AFFAIRS: After a decade leading the EU’s fight against antisemitism, Katharina von Schnurbein says Germany must be at the forefront, and Germans can’t stay silent.
Dr. Katharina von Schnurbein, Germany's new commissioner for Jewish life and the fight against antisemitism, has expressed concern over the safety and well-being of Jews in the country since the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre in Israel. The surge in antisemitic incidents across Europe, including Germany, has left Jewish communities feeling unsafe in public spaces, universities, and neighborhoods.
Von Schnurbein, who previously served as the European Commission's coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, aims to turn policy into concrete action through her new position based in the Interior Ministry.
She acknowledges that antisemitic incidents in Germany have tripled since October 7, resulting in physical attacks, intimidation, and online antisemitism. Von Schnurbein stresses that antisemitism is a threat to democracy and must be combated, not only for the Jewish community but for the sake of democracy itself. Despite the fear and resistance to speaking out, she sees resilience in the Jewish community, with students and synagogues remaining active and visible.
Von Schnurbein plans to work closely with Jewish communities to identify gaps in legislation and determine necessary measures, while also mobilizing the "silent majority" of Germans who reject antisemitism but do not actively confront it. She aims to build a network of individuals willing to publicly challenge antisemitism and hold political figures accountable, particularly in areas with far-right and Islamist extremist influence.
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