The Central Council of Muslims in Germany has condemned anti-Semitic incidents at pro-Palestinian demonstrations and urged people to exercise caution before taking part in rallies.
There are “very clear violations, anti-Semitic Jew-hating violations”, Aiman Mazyek, the group’s chairman, told Deutschlandfunk public radio on Saturday. “They must be punished.”
He appealed to Muslims in Germany to “be careful where you walk” and avoid supporting groups who want to use demonstrations to express hatred toward Jews. “We must not have that.”
However, Mazyek warned against holding all Muslims in Germany responsible for the actions of hateful demonstrators.
“Not everyone should be lumped together,” Mazyek said.
The Central Council of Muslims is one of the major religious umbrella groups in Germany.
Mazyek emphasized on Saturday that his organization had clearly condemned the actions of Hamas following the Palestinian extremist organization’s attacks on Israel on October 7.
“Every form of racism and misanthropy should not only be condemned but fought against. And for us, this is a Muslim commandment, also a commandment of faith.”
He also called on other Muslim groups in Germany to take a clear stance against anti-Semitism and racism. Too many have been “extremely quiet and silent,” he said.
Source: dpa
