German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday marked the upcoming first anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, vowing that Germany would “never tolerate” anti-Semitism as it focused its efforts on a ceasefire in the Middle East.
In a video published online, Scholz said he could never forget his visit to Israel last October, when on October 7 he met relatives of those killed or taken hostage by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
A year later, Scholz said it was unacceptable that “citizens of the Jewish faith in Germany live in fear and terror,” worrying about wearing a yarmulke in public, or avoiding telling classmates about their background.
“Jewish people here in Germany enjoy the full solidarity of our state, and the solidarity of all decent people in our country,” Scholz added.
Amid the escalation of fighting in the Middle East in recent weeks, the chancellor said he understood that many residents with ties to the region are deeply concerned.
Scholz again called for a ceasefire for the protection of civilians in Gaza and the release of the remaining Israeli hostages.
He also warned that the conflict risks becoming a regional conflagration, but said Germany was working with international partners to prevent further escalation.
“On the first anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel, peace and reconciliation seem further away than ever in the Middle East. But we do know this: a credible path to a negotiated two-state solution is essential for a viable solution to the problems. conflict,” Scholz concluded.
