German Interior Minister Offers to Set Anti-Semitism Commissioner

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere proposed introducing the post of an anti-Semitism commissioner amid negative sentiments and incidents related to the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

US President Donald Trump's decision on Israel has sparked negative reactions from many countries around the world. Mass protests against this step by Washington have been held in a number of countries. In particular, over 2,500 people staged a demonstration in the German capital last week protesting against Trump's move. During one of the pro-Palestinian rallies an Israeli flag was burnt in Berlin's Neukoelln district.

"I believe that it is reasonable to introduce the post of an anti-Semitism commissioner not only following the recent incidents… This is about the growth of derogatory remarks, inappropriate jokes and discriminating behavior toward our Jewish citizens," de Maiziere told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

The minister urged to be more stringent with the participants of such rallies, noting that "anti-Semitism will not seize Germany anymore."

On December 11, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said that the German government condemned anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rallies in the country.