Sunday 23 May 2021
“Poor eyesight in the right eye”
Central council criticizes hesitant judiciary
In response to anti-Semitic hatred of pro-Palestinian demonstrations, German politicians are reflexively demanding higher penalties. The head of the Central Council of Jews sees a need for action in the police and the judiciary. They would have “bigger deficits” when it comes to resolute crackdown on anti-Semitic crimes.
Against the background of anti-Semitic incidents at demonstrations in Germany, the Central Council of Jews has accused the judiciary of insufficient prosecution of such crimes. “The fight against anti-Semitism always requires at least two: a resolute legislature and a judiciary that resolutely implements this right,” said Central Council President Josef Schuster of the “Augsburger Allgemeine”, according to the weekend’s advance notice.
He sees the “major deficits” in the judiciary, which “has a certain visual impairment in the right eye,” continued Schuster. Even the police do not always do their job properly. When demonstrators shouted anti-Semitic slogans or called for violence against Jews, he expected the police “to take action, to investigate, name the perpetrators and report them,” said Schuster. However, there are always failures at this point.
In the past few days there had been a series of demonstrations and protests over the Middle East conflict. Anti-Semitic incidents also occurred at pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel rallies. Israeli flags were burned and Jewish institutions were attacked. The incidents aroused great outrage. Numerous politicians called for harsh penalties and consequences, especially for foreigners and possible refugees among the alleged perpetrators.
Under a large police presence, around 1200 people demonstrated against anti-Semitism in Nuremberg. The event remained completely peaceful, as a spokesman for the Central Franconian police headquarters said. The rally had the motto “No to hatred of Jews” and was accompanied by numerous police officers who, among other things, kept an eye on the crowd from roofs. Some participants wore Israeli or rainbow flags. “Against all anti-Semitism” was written on posters, or the demand for “solidarity with Israel”. The rally was supported by the Alliance against Right-Wing Extremism and the Council of Religions in the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region.
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