Angela Merkel pledges to fight German antisemitism

“Anyone who damages a Jewish gravestone is disgracing our culture. Anyone who attacks a synagogue is attacking the foundations of our free society.

"That far more than 100,000 Jews are now living in Germany is something of a miracle. It's a gift and it fills me with a deepest gratitude.

"Jewish life is part of our identity and culture. It hurts me when I hear that young Jewish parents are asking if it's safe to raise their children here or elderly ask if it was right to stay here."

There has been a sharp rise in antisemitism in Germany since Israel’s military operation in Gaza during the summer. Petrol bombs were thrown at a synagogue in Wuppertal and a man wearing a kippah was attacked in Berlin.