The CDU and CSU in Germany are intensifying their fight against anti-Semitism by proposing mandatory visits to concentration camp memorials for all students in the country. Currently, only students in Bavaria are required to visit former concentration camps, but the Union aims to make this compulsory nationwide. The goal is to ensure that students have a thorough understanding of the atrocities committed during the Nazi dictatorship by visiting these historical sites. The move is supported by the Central Council of Jews in Germany, which has been advocating for this since 2015.
In addition to mandatory visits to concentration camp memorials, the Union is also pushing for stronger measures against anti-Semitism at schools, universities, and research institutions. The rise in hostility and attacks against Jewish life in Germany following the Hamas terror attack on Israel in October 2023 has prompted the CDU and CSU to take action. They also aim to deepen the exchange programs between Germany and Israel for students, apprentices, and scholars, as well as expand networking programs to learn more about contemporary Jewish life.
Furthermore, the Union is calling for amendments to university laws nationwide to allow for the expulsion of students convicted of violent acts or threats against their peers. The aim is to provide support to university administrations in combating anti-Semitism on campus. However, the introduction of an enforcement law at universities is controversial and has been criticized by groups like Ver.di, who see it as a form of parallel justice within universities.
The proposal for mandatory visits to concentration camp memorials and the measures against anti-Semitism in educational institutions have caused tension within the coalition government. The SPD, Greens, and FDP expressed disappointment over the Union’s decision to unilaterally break an agreement on a joint approach to combating anti-Semitism. They stressed that protecting Jewish life should be a common goal among all democratic parties. However, the Union argues that they had attempted to reach a consensus with the coalition parties in January, but the coalition could not agree internally on a unified approach.
Overall, the Union’s efforts to combat anti-Semitism through mandatory school visits and stronger actions at universities reflect a commitment to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for Jewish communities in Germany. The proposal has garnered support from the Central Council of Jews and aims to educate future generations about the importance of remembering and learning from the past to prevent history from repeating itself. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the government will address the issue of anti-Semitism and implement the proposed measures to create a more tolerant and inclusive society.
