MKs Aliza Lavie (Yesh Atid) and Anat Berko (Likud) are participating this week in the third conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Combating anti-Semitism being held in Berlin, with 100 parliamentarians from 40 countries. The conference is an initiative of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the German Foreign Ministry and the Bundestag.
The two MKs have been meeting with senior European Union officials and taking part in debates aimed at exploring ways to combat anti-Semitism.
“The feeling that accompanies me throughout the conference is that Europe is also gradually recognizing that anti-Semitism is not only the problem of Israelis and Jews, it is a global problem,” Lavie said. “Europe’s ability to deal with anti-Semitism is directly linked to its ability to deal with the displays of hatred and violence that threaten its stability.”
The MK noted that during the conference, “more and more parliamentarians are saying in a clear voice: There can be no tolerance or excuses for displays of hatred and incitement. This struggle relates to us all.”
Anti-Semitism in Germany, be it by German citizens or refugees, must be confronted by the government and society together, Chancellor Angela Merkel said at the conference on Monday. Whether it is hate-filled criticism of Israel, or vandalism of cemeteries or synagogues, “Anti-Semitism and other prejudices have no place in our society,” Merkel said.
“If gravestones are defaced, then our country itself is defaced. If synagogues are vandalized, this shakes the foundations of our free society,” Merkel said. And demonstrators who call for the destruction of Israel are simply “giving vent to hatred of Jews.” In so doing, they “abuse the fundamental rights in our country to freedom of association and expression.”