German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has declared that Jewish life in Germany is "as threatened as it has not been for a long time." Speaking at the Jewish Campus in Berlin on Monday, where the CDU executive board convened under his leadership, Merz highlighted alarming trends in antisemitic incidents across the country.
"There is a sharply increasing number of crimes, assaults, and graffiti on house walls with antisemitic content," Merz stated during his address at the Jewish Campus. The Chancellor's remarks underscore growing concerns about the safety and security of Jewish communities throughout Germany.
By holding the CDU executive board meeting at this location, Merz sought to demonstrate the party's solidarity with the Jewish community. "The CDU is showing with its visit that it stands fully and without any restriction behind the Jews living in Germany," he emphasized.
According to Merz, the visit to the Jewish Campus should send a clear message: "Jewish life belongs to Germany." He stressed that the Federal Republic has a historical obligation to protect this life, adding that "the CDU, like no other party in Germany, is deeply committed to this mandate." The Chancellor's strong words reflect the CDU's positioning on this critical issue, asserting the party's unique dedication to safeguarding Jewish communities in Germany.
The Jewish community Chabad, which operates the Jewish Campus, had announced prior to the meeting that the CDU executive board's visit and session at the campus "sets a clear sign of solidarity and support for Jewish life in Germany."
Located in Berlin's Wilmersdorf district, the Jewish Campus serves as a central hub for encounters, education, and social exchange, according to the community. The campus offers programs for children, youth, and families, representing what the community describes as "a vibrant, open, and contemporary Jewish life in the capital."
The campus currently houses a kindergarten, an elementary school, and a high school. Additional facilities are in the planning stages, further expanding the center's role as a cornerstone of Jewish community life in Berlin. The location choice for the CDU executive board meeting carries symbolic weight, demonstrating political leadership's engagement with Jewish institutions at a time when such communities face increased security concerns.
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