NEW YORK – The World Jewish Congress vehemently condemns the reprehensible antisemitic attack that took place recently on the sidelines of a neo-Nazi protest in the east German city of Chemnitz, in which masked assailants hurled rocks and bottles at a Jewish restaurant, injuring one person.
“It is inconceivable and outrageous that neo-Nazi elements or Nazi-inspired individuals in Germany continue to feel empowered to engage in violent acts against Jews and other minorities,” WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said.
“Nazis and neo-Nazis can never be anything but a scourge of and on humanity, and they certainly must not ever be tolerated in Germany, where Nazism and its evil have their roots,” Lauder said.
“We urge all authorities in Germany, from law enforcement to government, to make every effort to bring the perpetrators of this horrific act to justice and to take the strongest possible measures to ensure that such violence never be repeated,” Lauder said.
“No citizen should ever have to live in fear because of his or her religion, faith, color, or way of life,” Lauder added. “Nazis and neo-Nazis are despicable bigots who epitomize the worst elements of society and we stand ready to assist our community in Germany, as well as local authorities, in standing against their abhorrent threats.”
