On September 15 at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin a mass rally against the sharp rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, caused by the Israeli anti-terrorist operation in the Gaza Strip, was held.
The rally, organized by the Central Jewish Council in Germany, attended by German President Joachim Gauck, Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, head of the Council of the German bishops, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, head of the Council of the Evangelical Church, Nikolaus Schneider, and other prominent German politicians and public figures.
A representative group of world Jewish leaders led by Ronald Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), came to the German capital to participate in the event.
Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) was represented by its president Julius Meinl. The delegation also included EAJC Secretary General Mikhail Chlenov, Presidium member Alexander Baron, CEO Natalia Schmidt.
Addressing the participants of the meeting, Angela Merkel said about the need to stop any anti-Semitic actions in the country. According to her, ethnic discrimination is a challenge to the peaceful coexistence of people. "We want to make Jews feel safe", – Federal Chancellor said, adding that Germany is the common homeland for Germans and Jews and.
Ronald Lauder, in his speech stressed the importance of the fact that the rally participants are not only Jews. He said that we should say a firm "no" to all forms of intolerance, bigotry and anti-Semitism.
EAJC leader Julius Meinl told the press: "We are participating in the most important event, which demonstrates the good will of the majority of sensible people. I convinced that the Jewish organizations which are sounding the alarm, warning of threats to freedom and peaceful coexistence, will continue to serve as an instrument of upholding human values. Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, together with the international Jewish community will step up its activities in this direction".