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Hamburg (dpa / lno) - The President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany has expected criticism of the planned reconstruction of the Bornplatz synagogue in Hamburg, but is surprised by its characteristics.

"I was a bit surprised, however, by the latest criticism from 45 people from Israel: I cannot understand the severity of this criticism," said Josef Schuster in an interview with the "Hamburger Abendblatt" (Thursday).

He was shocked that historians from Israel put the reconstruction “in the context of a“ memory-political turnaround of 180 degrees ”and thus cite the AfD”.

Such criticism discredits itself.

The opponents of the project had said among other things that the reconstruction of the synagogue created the illusion that nothing had ever happened.

Schuster clearly contradicted this: "On the contrary: A rebuilt church in this place also indicates what happened there."

The former largest synagogue in northern Germany is to be rebuilt in the Grindelviertel in the coming years.

At the end of November, the Bundestag budget committee released 65 million euros for the reconstruction of the synagogue, which was damaged in 1938 and forcibly demolished in 1939.

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Schuster emphasized the scope of the planned reconstruction.

“Thanks to the international reactions, the project has reached a dimension that goes well beyond Hamburg.

But that also applies to the importance of the reconstruction and the volume of construction. "

The reconstruction - instead of a modern synagogue - is particularly attractive, emphasized the President of the Central Council.

On the one hand, it shows the special status that the Jewish community once had in the Hanseatic city.

"This year we are celebrating 1,700 years of Jewish life in Germany - this signal fits particularly well."

On the other hand, the old sacred buildings, which were rebuilt in the original style after being destroyed during the war, are very much appreciated by many.

The Hamburg project can definitely be compared to the reconstruction of the Dresden Frauenkirche.

"In any case, the train of thought goes in the same direction."

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210304-99-683790 / 2

Interview in the "Hamburger Abendblatt"