World Jewish News

In phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Netanyahu says Israel is concerned over rise of anti-Semitism

‘’Israel is concerned over the rise of anti-Semitism in recent years among political elements from the right and left and among Islamic elements,’’ Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a phone call one day after the German parliament elections showed the right-wing extremist AfD (Alternative for Germany) party winning seats in the parliament.

Netanyahu, who updated is cabinet on his conversation, stopped short of naming the AfD which won about 13 percent of the general vote -- the best showing for a nationalist force since World War II.

In his conversation with Merkel, Netanyahu "called on the new government that would be formed to act to strengthen the forces in Germany that accept the historic responsibility" of the Holocaust,.

"Israel rejects any attempt to deny the Holocaust. There are two different things – Holocaust denial and denial of responsibility,’’ he said.

Netanyahu also said that Chancellor Merkel had been a ‘’true friend of the State of Israel and the Jewish People’’ for many years and was ‘’a great leader of Germany and Europe.’’ "I congratulated her on her victory. The State of Israel is certain that under her leadership the special relationship between Germany and Israel will continue to deepen and prosper. I called on the new government that will be established to act to strengthen those forces in Germany that accept the historic responsibility," he said.

EJP