The German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), underscored the vital role of the Central Council of Jews in Germany during a ceremony marking its 75th anniversary in Berlin on Wednesday. He described the organization as having become “an irreplaceable lifeline for democratic culture” within the country.
Merz emphasized the significance of Jewish life and culture, stating that the Federal Republic of Germany “would have been permanently uprooted” without their continued presence and contributions. He acknowledged the profound trauma experienced by Jewish communities in Germany immediately following World War II, highlighting their isolation amidst the devastation and grief resulting from the atrocities committed on German soil.
The Chancellor also defended his prior criticisms regarding Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip, asserting that “criticism of the policy of the Israeli government must be possible and can even be justified”. However, he cautioned against such critiques being exploited to fuel antisemitism, warning that doing so would cause “damage to Germany’s own soul”. Merz reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to the existence and security of the State of Israel as “an unnegotiable component of the normative foundations of our country”.