German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned "criticism of Israel" in cases where it serves as a pretext for anti-Semitism, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Criticism of the Israeli government must be possible, Merz said at an event organized by the Central Council of Jews in Berlin, after he himself recently expressed such a thing.
"But our country harms its own soul when this criticism becomes a pretext for hatred of Jews - or when it even leads to demands that the Federal Republic turn away from Israel," Merz added.
"Germany's commitment to the existence and security of Israel is an inalienable part of the normative foundations of our country". Merz expressed his continued shock and shame at anti-Semitism in Germany, which he said had become stronger, more open, more brazen and more aggressive since the terrorist attack led by "Hamas" against Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israeli restaurants, Jewish centers and Jewish monuments have been threatened and desecrated.
"We are all called upon to show civic courage wherever we witness anti-Semitism, racism or discrimination," Merz added at a reception marking the 75th anniversary of the Central Council of Jews, founded just five years after the Nazi Holocaust. He paid great tribute to the role and contribution of the council.
"The Federal Republic would have been forever uprooted without Jewish life and Jewish culture in our country," said the Chancellor.
"I want to say to the Jews in Germany today: Without you, there can be no good future for the Federal Republic," concluded Merz.