Germany's Jewish community leader has expressed his disappointment that justice ministers have not recommended tougher laws on antisemitic agitation.

The ministers from Germany’s 16 federal states met in Berlin to discuss key policy areas. This year they examined how Jews could be better protected against antisemitic hostility.

In a resolution, they agreed that German criminal law must take sufficient account of the threats to public peace that could arise from the denial of Israel’s right to exist.

Jewish Council President Josef Schuster said: “The resolution of the Conference of Justice Ministers to protect Jewish life is an important commitment. However, I would have expected a clear mandate to examine the introduction of the criminal law of denying Israel’s right to exist. It is obvious that there is a protection gap that needs to be closed.”

Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, said there had to be a clear legal boundary between free speech and incitement, in light of the chilling arson antisemitics attacks on synagogues and graffiti on people’s houses.

Schuster said while he welcomed the initiative, he was disappointed that clearer guidelines had not been provided about how police should act at demonstrations where antisemitic slogans are chanted.

Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann had previously rejected a proposal to criminalise support for Hamas, arguing existing laws cover such actions.