Rising Anti-Semitism prompts Minister Prien to Consider Emigration Under AfD Leadership
Federal Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) has stated she would emigrate from Germany should the Choice for Germany (AfD) ever assume the chancellorship. Prien, who has Jewish ancestry, expressed this sentiment in the Funke media group’s podcast “My Hardest Decision,” stating, “If the AfD appoints the Chancellor, than I will certainly leave Germany before then. I think I can say that today. That would no longer be my country. And I’m afraid that it’s already very late.”
While acknowledging the difficulty of choosing a destination, Prien indicated Israel as the most likely option, though recognizing it as “a big step.” She also mentioned the USA as a potential, though currently challenging, refuge.
Prien’s concerns stem from a perceived increase in anti-Semitism within Germany. She stated that the German state is “no longer able to ‘really effectively protect Jews from attacks on the streets.'” She described instances of discrimination, including Jews being “spat on” and “attacked” specifically because thay are identifiable as Jewish, such as by wearing a yarmulke or a Star of David.
“Jews who are read as Jews, i.e. who can be identified by wearing a yarmulke or a Star of David, are discriminated against on the street, are spat on, are attacked,” Prien reiterated. She noted that many within the Jewish community are already withdrawing from public life or contemplating leaving Germany altogether.
At a recent private meeting, Prien discussed with members of the Jewish community the possibility of creating financial reserves abroad as a precautionary measure.She admitted to “some mind games that I don’t fully close myself off to.”
Prien emphasized the importance of monitoring the stability of current political institutions, while also condemning the trend of holding Jewish individuals accountable for the actions of the Israeli government. “This is classic anti-Semitic,” she stated, “And those attributions have increased.”
(Source: dpa/fro)
