Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis has rejected allegations of antisemitism as “ridiculous and baseless” after he rejected the ministerial nomination of a Jewish politician.
Ilan Laufer, 35, who holds dual Romanian and Israeli nationality, accused Mr Iohannis of antisemitism after his nomination by Prime Minister Viorica Dancila was refused in a reshuffle in which the president also rejected another ministerial nomination.
“References to antisemitism and Nazism represent a dangerous action which can generate antisemitic and discriminatory manifestations and can incite hatred”, a statement published by the presidency said.
Mr Laufer also accused Mr Iohannis of promising German Chancellor Angela Merkel to try and block the proposed move of Romania’s Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He claimed the president, who is ethnically German, wants to have relations only with Berlin and to block relations with Israel and the United States.
