Scholz warned of a “worrying and alarming normalisation” of anti-Semitism, hate speech, and the rise of far-right movements in Germany, particularly on social media, where such sentiments are often paired with incitements to violence
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke about the memory of Auschwitz against the backdrop of the rise of far-right in Germany. File image/AP
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday reaffirmed Germany’s responsibility to preserve the memory of the Holocaust, warning against attempts to downplay the atrocities committed by Germans during World War II.
“I am against turning the page, saying ’that was long ago’,” Scholz said during a gathering of the Jewish community in Frankfurt to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the Nazis’ largest concentration camp.
The Holocaust, Scholz said, represents “millions of individual stories,” of people “like you and me.” This collective memory, he stressed, is based on “indisputable facts that everyone in our country must face regardless of origin, family history or religion.”
Scholz warned of a “worrying and alarming normalisation” of anti-Semitism, hate speech, and the rise of far-right movements in Germany, particularly on social media, where such sentiments are often paired with incitements to violence.
Far-right surge in Germany
Scholz’s comments come as Germany grapples with a surge in far-right activity ahead of snap elections. The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, which has gained significant traction in recent years, has faced criticism for rhetoric and actions reminiscent of Nazi-era policies.
The party recently sparked backlash by distributing campaign flyers styled as “Deporta