In the fight against anti-Semitism, Federal Education Minister Karin Prien also believes that teacher training must be improved. To date, it has not been possible to establish anti-Semitism as an issue in university education nationwide, said the CDU politician in a discussion at the location of the future Yad Vashem branch in Leipzig.
Anti-Semitic ciphers often not recognized
However, educators need to be trained in order to be able to deal with young extremists from the right or the left. The same also applies to the training of local officials, police officers and judges. “Anti-Semitic ciphers and stereotypes are often not recognized by the courts,” said Prien. “That’s why it’s important, for example, to have specialized public prosecutors who know exactly what anti-Semitism is.”
Yad Vashem branch planned in Leipzig
The Federal Minister found out about the future branch of the Israeli Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem in the Ariowitsch House in Leipzig. The educational institution should start operations next year, said Saxon Education Minister Conrad Clemens (CDU). The Free State is currently working on a contract with Yad Vashem. Saxony plans to support educational work with five million euros per year.
Yad Vashem announced in May that it would set up its first branch outside of Israel in Germany. An education center is to be built in Munich. Leipzig gets a branch of it. Interactive learning spaces are to be created for young people, but also for teachers and other multipliers.
Prien: Jewish life cannot be taken for granted
At a subsequent discussion on the future of Jewish life in Germany, Prien, like Saxony's Social Minister Petra Köpping (SPD), emphasized the need for educational work. “I think you have to be honest: Jewish life as a matter of course did not exist in Germany after 1945,” said the CDU politician. Even now, Jewish people are being marginalized - and increasingly so. This must be counteracted with education and the promotion of democracy.
“Of course we have had strong anti-Semitism in Saxony for years,” said Köpping. The state government is therefore trying to put the issue at the forefront of its democracy promotion programs. There are more than 100 clubs in Saxony that deal with the topic, said Köpping.
Criticism of the decision on stumbling blocks in Heidenau
According to Prien, there is also an indifference in society when it comes to anti-Semitism. This was shown by incidents like those in Heidenau, where the decision was made to ban the culture of remembrance from the city. But this culture of remembrance must take place in the middle of society - even if it is often painful.
In response to a request from the AfD and CDU, the city council of Heidenau decided not to place any more stumbling blocks in public spaces. The stones are intended to keep alive the memory of the expulsion of Jews, Sinti and Roma, those politically persecuted as well as homosexuals and other groups under National Socialism.
Culture Minister Clemens called the Heidenau decision unspeakable. “It cannot be explained.” The politicians demonstratively laid flowers at eight stumbling blocks not far from the planned branch of Yad Vashem.
