Minister: German cultural sector needs anti-Semitism strategy

German Culture Minister Claudia Roth said she is striving for a standardized approach by the federal and state governments to prevent anti-Semitism in the cultural sector.

"A patchwork of different regulations would not be particularly conducive to the common cause here," said the Green Party politician on Wednesday in Berlin during the "Remembering so as not to forget" conference organized by the Central Council of Jews in Germany.

"In the fight against the alarming outbreak of anti-Semitism in our country, the cultural sector is also called upon," said Roth, arguing that federally-funded institutions should develop "codes of conduct."

She is therefore seeking dialogue with Germany's 16 states, "as well as with all those involved in the cultural sector. We need to discuss what makes sense in terms of constitutional and administrative law and what is politically necessary."

After Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, "the majority in our country, including many in the German cultural scene," stood on the sidelines and remained silent, Roth said.

"Whatever reasons we give for this silence on Hamas' terror, I can find no explanation for it."

To the applause of the conference, Roth spoke of a lack of empathy.

"We must not remain silent, we must take a stand, clearly and unequivocally. We must show solidarity with Israel and protect and strengthen Jewish life in our country," said Roth.

Speaking on behalf of the Central Council, Michael Groys said that the aim of the event was to ask what a culture of remembrance and remembrance policy could look like in a pluralistic society, "especially when there are no more survivors" of the Holocaust.