Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Jewish community in Munich and Bavaria, expressed concern over the electoral victory of the nationalist party Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the Saxony-Anhalt state elections. She stated that in the wake of this event, a number of Jews are once again reconsidering their decision to leave Germany.
Concern About a Return to the Past
Knobloch said that it took years for Jews in Germany to regain their trust in the country after the Holocaust, and now fears have arisen once again. She emphasized: "This is my biggest concern because we have worked to rebuild Jewish communities after 1945 and to give Jews a home that they have long been without."
Rise of Far-Right Power
In the Saxony-Anhalt state elections held on September 6, the AfD secured nearly 44 percent of the votes. Although the party's main candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, did not achieve an absolute majority, he has a good chance of becoming the future prime minister of the state. This would mean that for the first time since World War II, a far-right party would be at the head of a state government.
Knobloch warned: "We cannot allow any of these individuals to become the prime minister of the state. This situation is currently very dangerous. I hope other parties understand this and stand against it. It requires courage."
Death Threats and Concerns About the Future
Knobloch, who is recognized as one of the most prominent representatives of Jewish life in Germany and one of the last living witnesses of the Nazi dictatorship from 1933 to 1945, received death threats last week. On Thursday, a witness discovered written threats on a park bench and a trash can in Munich's English Garden and reported them to the police. These threats were linked to the electoral victory of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt.
In response to a question about her thoughts on that horrific era, she said: "These days, I think about it in the mornings and evenings. In the past, this topic rarely came up, but now it is constantly on my mind." She also emphasized that politicians need to engage more with young people and pay attention to their fears.
