Germany German Chancellor Merz warns of new wave of anti-Semitism
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warns of anti-Semitism in Germany in light of the 2nd anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel.
07.10.2025, 09:39
07.10.2025, 09:40
SDA
"Since October 7, 2023, we have been experiencing a new wave of anti-Semitism in Germany. It is appearing in old and new guises - on social media, at universities, on our streets; ever louder, ever more outrageous and ever more often in the form of violence," said Merz in a video message.
He addressed a plea to everyone in Germany, Merz said. "Reach out to our Jewish citizens today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, wherever you can. Reach out to the Jewish communities." Everyone should show that they are on the side of the Jews. "And that together we will do everything we can to ensure that Jews can live here in Germany without fear, that they can live with confidence," said Merz.
On October 7, 2023, terrorists from the radical Islamic group Hamas, together with other Islamists, carried out the worst massacre in Israel's history. Around 1,200 people were killed at the time and more than 250 were abducted in the Gaza Strip.
"All hostages must be released immediately"
Merz said that October 7 had torn a deep wound. "It has gone down as a black day in the history books of the Jewish people. Two years ago today, Hamas attacked Israel in a barbaric manner," said the Federal Chancellor.
Merz said of the abducted hostages: "They have been suffering the unimaginable for two long years today." We can only imagine the suffering of their relatives, said the Chancellor, referring to talks with hostage relatives this week in the Chancellery. "But we share their pain. And we reiterate our demand: all hostages must be released immediately. We have high hopes for the peace process."
