NEW YORK – World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder has condemned a neo-Nazi rally that took place in two districts of Dortmund, Germany on Friday, in which some 100 demonstrators gathered with imperial flags and pyrotechnics, shouting ‘he who loves Germany is antisemitic’.
“The despicable neo-Nazi display that occurred over the weekend in Dortmund should appall and repel all proponents of democracy, tolerance, and justice,” Lauder said. “We cannot stand idly by as mongers of hate and fear march freely through the streets of Germany or any other country in the same dangerous manifestation of the very antisemitic ideology that brought about the near destruction of European Jewry.”
“Antisemitism has made a frightening reappearance in Germany in recent years, and this neo-Nazi rally was living proof of the callous sense of empowerment and confidence sweeping through the far-right,” Lauder added. “Less than two weeks ago, we saw yet another reprehensible antisemitic demonstration in Chemnitz that ended in violence against a Jewish institution."
"It is incumbent upon the authorities in Germany to treat this matter with the severity it deserves and make it crystal clear that antisemitism has no place in German society," Lauder said. "This message will be a substantial component of my talks with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas during his visit to New York next week for the UN General Assembly."
Footage of the rally can be seen here.