German Chancellor marks October 7 with vow to fight antisemitism

Chancellor Friedrich Merz marked the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel by vowing to fight antisemitism in Germany while pressing for a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Antisemitism allegations have become a prominent part of public debate in Germany, involving far-right and far-left parties.

"We are witnessing rising antisemitism in Germany -- antisemitism that far too often goes unchallenged," Merz said, adding that his government "will do everything in its power to resolutely combat antisemitism in all its forms, both new and old".

"Jewish people must be able to live without fear throughout Germany," the chancellor said in the statement marking the anniversary of the Hamas attacks in 2023 that set off the Gaza war.

Merz used the occasion to condemn long-standing political opponents in the far-left Die Linke, who have come under repeated attack over connections to pro-Palestinian activists.

Having defeated Merz's centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) in Berlin's regional election in September, Die Linke is currently trying to forge a left-wing coalition government.

The chancellor invoked the "horrific terrorist attack" of October 7 to argue that the Greens and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) must shun Die Linke or risk undermining the "non-negotiable principles of our society".

Die Linke maintains that it takes the fight against antisemitism as seriously as the fight against Islamophobia or homophobia, while also emphasising the need to condemn acts by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The only plausible political alternative in Berlin to a Die Linke-led government would be a broad centrist coalition that keeps Merz's CDU in power in the capital.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has made major inroads in recent state elections, has been accused of ties to neo-Nazi circles.

The Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, marked the deadliest day in Israel's history, with 1,221 people killed.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has led to the deaths of more than 74,200 people in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas controlled health ministry. The United Nations considers the figures reliable. There have also been clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Since the attack, German authorities and advocacy groups have reported a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across the country.

"Germany stands firmly by Israel's side. Our Israeli friends can count on our commitment to ensuring that such a crime never happens again," Merz said.

For decades, Germany has seen resolute support for Israel as a fundamental duty largely because of Nazi Germany's responsibility for the genocide of millions of European Jews during the Holocaust.

But Merz also advocated for the creation of a Palestinian state "alongside Israel" -- something that has been vehemently rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Merz called a two-state solution the best way for "Israelis, Palestinians, and their neighbours to live in peace and security".

Several events commemorating the attack were held across Germany.

On Wednesday evening, several hundred pro-Palestinian demonstrators, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, marched through Berlin wearing keffiyehs and carrying signs denouncing Israeli "genocide" and deploring Germany’s supposed inaction.

Counter-protesters confronted them with Israeli flags and condemned "left-wing antisemitism."

The demonstration was broken up by police, an hour earlier than planned due to several "violations," a statement said.

Jara, an activist who only gave her Christian name, said police confiscated her placard.

It read: "Human beings have the right to exist, not states."