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Memorial hour in the German Bundestag: “Let us all have the courage: not to remain silent, but to resolutely confront hatred and misanthropy.”
Photo: Kay Nietfeld / dpa
The credo “Never again” is an integral part of the German culture of remembrance; these days, many demonstrators are chanting it in protests against the rise of right-wing extremism. But it doesn't just mean the fight against fascism, but also the fight against hatred of Jews. Now, during the memorial hour for the victims of National Socialism, Parliament President Bärbel Bas (SPD) emphasized the responsibility of all Germans to oppose anti-Semitism.
“‘Never again’ was, is and remains a task for our entire society,” said Bas in the Bundestag. Since the Hamas attack on Israel in October, more than 2,000 anti-Semitic crimes have been committed in this country. "This outbreak of anti-Semitism is a disgrace for our country."
“Anti-Semitism is a contemporary problem”
The President of the Bundestag emphasized: “Hate of Jews is not just a problem of the past. Anti-Semitism is a contemporary problem." This has become apparent "particularly in a frightening way since October 7th, since the barbaric Hamas terrorist attack on Israel." Addressing the Israeli ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, who was present at the memorial, Bas said: "You can be sure of the solidarity of this house."
Germany wants to help “create a perspective of peaceful coexistence in the Middle East.” It is “an imperative of humanity to see the suffering of all people,” said the President of Parliament. "The suffering of the civilian population in Gaza as well as the suffering of the hostages who have been in the hands of Hamas since October 7th."
Regarding the increasing violence against Jews in this country, Bas said: "Germany cannot and will not remain silent about it." She emphasized: "We stand in solidarity with the Jews. And we raise our voices against every form of hatred of Jews!”
“This responsibility does not expire”
It is necessary to constantly come to a new agreement about the responsibility of “never again”. “Everyone can and must contribute to this.” It is our obligation to pass on this commandment with the same strength and conviction, from generation to generation.” The President of the Bundestag warned: “This responsibility does not expire.”
With regard to the protests against right-wing extremism, Bas pointed out that hundreds of thousands have stood up in the past few weeks. They all showed: "Our democracy is diverse, lively and defensive." The President of Parliament appealed: "Let us all have the courage not to remain silent, but to resolutely confront hatred and inhumanity."
The constitutional state must “take decisive action against anti-Semitism. And against everyone who wants to destroy our democracy," emphasized Bas. »That must go without saying. If exclusion and hatred spread in our country, then our democracy will be crushed." It's about resisting this in everyday life: "When we hear anti-Semitic or racist slogans. In the subway, among colleagues, at schools.«
Shoah survivor Eva Szepesi spoke after Bas. It will be followed by a speech by sports journalist Marcel Reif. Reif's father was a Polish Jew who narrowly escaped being deported to a concentration camp by the National Socialists during the war. Close family members of Szepesis and Reif were killed at the time.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Constitutional Court President Stephan Harbarth and Federal Council President Manuela Schwesig (SPD) also took part in the memorial hour. The occasion of the event is the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp on January 27, 1945.
mrc/AFP