From the DW:
“Germans urged to wear Jewish
yarmulke in solidarity”
Anti-Semitism Commissioner Felix
Klein has called on Germans to don the yarmulke skullcap worn by Jewish men
ahead of an anti-Israel protest. The Central Council of Jews has warned about
wearing the yarmulke in public. Germany's anti-Semitism commissioner has said
people should wear Jewish skullcaps in a bid to show solidarity with Jews ahead
of an anti-Israel protest on Saturday. "I call on all citizens of Berlin
and across Germany to wear the yarmulke next Saturday if there are new,
intolerable attacks targeting Israel and Jews on the occasion of Al-Quds Day in
Berlin," Felix Klein said Monday. He also called on people to take part in
pro-Israel rallies on the day instead. Al-Quds Day is an annual event held at
the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, initiated by the Islamic
Republic of Iran in 1979 in support of Palestinians and in opposition to the
Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Al-Quds is the Arabic name for
Jerusalem, meaning holy. In previous years, the event has attracted a range of
anti-Israel demonstrators including supporters of Hamas and Hezbollah, as well
as neo-Nazis and supporters of conspiracy theories.
Rise in attacks
Klein's call comes amid arise in
the number of anti-Jewish attacks in Germany. According to official figures,
there were 1,646 anti-Semitic crimes in Germany in 2018, a rise of 10% over the
previous year. Last year, a man wearing the Star of David was beaten down and
kicked right in the center of Berlin. Some weeks earlier, a similar incident in
the capital caused public outrage and sparked a nationwide debate on
anti-Semitism when a 19-year-old Syrian attacked an Arab-Israeli and his
companion with a belt in broad daylight. Both victims wore yarmulkes in what
was reportedly an anti-Semitic attack. Klein made headlines last week when he
warned Jews not to wear the yarmulke in public, citing safety concerns.
Sigmount Königsberg, the anti-Semitism commissioner for Berlin's Jewish
community, told DW he found Klein's statement lacking. "I would have
expected him to add that he'll do everything in his power to make sure Jews can
wear their kippa everywhere in Germany and at all times of the day and
night," he said, using another word for yarmulke. Königsberg hopes that
Klein's warning works as an alarm signal to society and that politicians will
take action so that "Jewish people can openly wear their kippa in
public."
Yarmulke
European Jews started wearing the
yarmulke, or kippa, in the 17th and 18th centuries, turning the skullcap into a
religious symbol. Pious Jews are expected to cover their heads, but the fabric
isn't that important, and a hat or scarf is acceptable, too. Jewish Halacha law
requires men and boys to cover their head when they pray, visit a synagogue or
a Jewish cemetery or study the religion. Speaking to reporters on Monday,
Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said it was the state's responsibility to
provide security. "The state must see to it that the free exercise of
religion is possible for all... and that anyone can go anywhere in our country
in full security wearing a kippa," Steffen Seibert told a press
conference. The Central Council of Jews in Germany has also warned about
wearing the yarmulke in public.
^ This is exactly what I suggested
a few days ago. It’s nice to see Klein has changed his tune and rather than
suggesting Jews in Germany be scared and hide that Germans (Jews and non-Jews) stand
out in the open together. I'm curious to see what the ordinary Germans decide to do. ^
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