German Police Chief Acknowledges Past, Vows to Protect Jewish Life
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
German Police Union Chairman Jochen Kopelke acknowledged past antisemitism and vowed to protect Jewish life, kneeling at a memorial in Berlin. This contrasts with far-right efforts to limit public Jewish commemoration. Across Europe, Jewish visibility is being reduced, sometimes citing security fears, leading to a defensive withdrawal by Jewish communities. The March of the Living and police officials held an event in Berlin to counter this trend, emphasizing the need for open and safe Jewish life.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- German Police Union Chairman Jochen Kopelke vowed to protect Jewish life at a Kristallnacht commemoration in Berlin.
- Far-right AfD party in Heidenau seeks to limit public Jewish memorials and funding for remembrance sites.
- Jewish visibility is decreasing across Europe, with some museums canceling events due to security fears.
- Antisemitic incidents have surged globally since October 7th, prompting some Jews to withdraw Jewish symbols.
- The March of the Living and 150 law enforcement officials affirmed a commitment to open Jewish life in Berlin.
Jochen Kopelke, chairman of the German Police Union, recently knelt at a Stolperstein (stumbling block) in Berlin commemorating George Speyer's mother and aunt, who were murdered in Auschwitz. This act, occurring 88 years after Kristallnacht, signified an acknowledgment of past persecution, including by police, and a commitment to protecting Jewish life today. The gesture contrasts with actions by the far-right AfD party in Heidenau, which proposed halting new Stolperstein installations in public spaces and relocating commemorations to cemeteries, while also seeking to reduce funding for memorial sites and educational visits. This approach aims to diminish public engagement with history and relegate memory to the past.
Similar efforts to reduce the visibility of Jewish life are occurring across Europe, sometimes under the guise of security concerns. In the Netherlands, a museum in Amersfoort canceled a planned exhibition celebrating the 300th anniversary of its local synagogue, citing the Middle East conflict and fears for volunteer safety, despite no concrete threat. Following public outcry, the decision is being reconsidered. Such incidents empower those who threaten Jewish communities, allowing them to dictate where Jewish life can be openly expressed.
In response to rising antisemitism, particularly after October 7th, many Jews worldwide have adopted a defensive posture, withdrawing Jewish symbols and reducing participation in community or Israel-related events. This self-imposed restriction, while understandable given the fear of attacks, with an average of one antisemitic incident per hour reported in Germany and over 19,000 globally since October 7th, should not become a permanent solution. The call is for both Jewish communities and authorities to ensure that Jewish life can be visible and ordinary, not an act requiring exceptional courage.
In line with this, the March of the Living organization held an event at Berlin's New Synagogue commemorating Kristallnacht, attended by 150 senior law enforcement officials from Europe and the US. Their presence signaled a commitment to learning from the past and stating, "Not on our watch." This pledge must extend beyond synagogues to actively protecting communities and enabling open Jewish life. New Stolpersteine were also recently laid in Berlin for the Yaffe family, whose members were murdered or survived the Holocaust, with neighbors and students attending to hear their stories. This act of remembrance, by giving voice to those targeted for erasure, integrates Jewish memory and present-day Jewish life back into the fabric of the city, offering a model for combating antisemitism by ensuring a safe and visible presence for Jewish memory and life.
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