German Vice Chancellor Habeck’s speech gets under your skin – from left to right Lausanne Aquarium saves the Italian alpine salamander species from extinction

Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck strongly condemned anti-Semitism in Germany in its various forms. “Anti-Semitism should not be tolerated in any form, shape or form.

The scale of the Islamist demonstrations in Berlin and other cities in Germany is unacceptable and requires a tough political response,” the Green politician and Minister of Economic Affairs said in an almost ten-minute video that his ministry distributed on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday .

A response is also needed from Muslim associations in Germany, Habeck said. Some clearly distanced themselves from the actions of Hamas and anti-Semitism. “But not all, and some are too hesitant and I think overall too few.”

Muslims living in Germany have the right to be protected from right-wing extremist violence. “And they must redeem the same now when Jews are attacked,” Habeck said. They must clearly distance themselves from anti-Semitism so as not to undermine their own claim to tolerance. And further:

Burning Israeli flags is a criminal offense, as is praising the actions of Hamas. Habeck announced consistent action:

Islamist anti-Semitism should not obscure the fact that there is also deep-rooted anti-Semitism in Germany, even though right-wing extremists are now holding back for tactical reasons from stirring up hatred against Muslims, Habeck said. But:

Anti-colonialism should not lead to anti-Semitism. The death and suffering that awaits the people of the Gaza Strip is terrible. “However, this cannot legitimize systematic violence against Jews.” Against the backdrop of Hamas’s actions, portraying Hamas as a freedom movement is an “inversion of the facts,” Habeck said.

The reactions

The video quickly generated numerous reactions on social networks. More than four million people watched the video and it was shared, liked and commented on thousands of times. The basic tenor: very positive.

Including critics of the Green politician: “I often criticize the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Habeck. But this statement about Hamas’s struggle and about Israel, Jews and Muslims is the best I have heard from the federal government yet. “I would have liked something like that from those responsible: from the Chancellor, Baerbock and Faeser,” T-Online quoted a user.

Opposition politicians also found words of praise, such as former CDU politician Armin Laschet:

The tabloid newspaper ‘Bild’ described Habeck’s speech as ‘historic’. “Almost a little speech to the nation,” Stern wrote of Habeck’s performance. Philipp Peyman Engel, editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Jüdische Allgemeine” thanks him for the speech:

CDU vice-chairman Karin Prien noted on X that Habeck struck the right tone like no other in the government. “A strong, necessary appearance.” At times, the hashtag #Habeck4Kanzler was even popular on social media.

(jaw/sda/dpa)