Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on 9 November at the Buchenwald Memorial at Weimar issued a forceful warning against renewed hatred of Jews in Germany. At the commemoration marking the anniversary of the November pogroms of 1938, he said it was deeply shameful that Jewish people are once again being insulted, threatened and, in some cases, physically attacked. The state and society must act resolutely, keep the memory alive and visibly protect Jewish life.
Steinmeier placed the current situation in the historical context of the November pogroms. The injustice that was tolerated and organised by the state at the time, and which led to violence and extermination, obliges us to remain vigilant. antisemitism must not be relativised. The Federal President pointed to an increase in antisemitic incidents since 7 October 2023 and called for synagogues and other institutions to be better protected and for civic courage to be strengthened. At the same time, he expressed confidence in the rule of law, which must prosecute offences consistently.
The event was organised by the Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora Memorials Foundation . Representatives of the Central Council of Jews in Germany subsequently emphasised the importance of public solidarity and called for antisemitic incidents to be clearly identified and punished. In Thuringia and across Germany, further commemorative events took place on 9 November, at which political representatives called for joint action against antisemitism.
Experts in politics and remembrance culture attribute the current rise in anti-Jewish incidents to several factors: the spillover of international conflicts into German debates, increased mobilisation by the far right and far left, and hostility motivated by Islamism. The political debate is focused on concrete measures, including stronger protection for synagogues and schools, reliable funding for advice centres and memorials, better recording of offences, and wide-ranging educational programmes to combat hatred and conspiracy thinking.
On the anniversary, speakers at Buchenwald appealed to the responsibility of the democratic mainstream. Remembrance must not become a ritual, but must continue to guide action. Buchenwald, where many people were persecuted and murdered on antisemitic and racist grounds, is a reminder to draw clear lines against antisemitism, racism and every form of hatred. Steinmeier coupled this appeal with the assurance that the state protects Jewish life – and with the expectation that citizens will speak out when hatred becomes vocal.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).