Federal Government provides additional 22 million euro to protect Jewish facilities

type: press release , Date: 17 September 2020

On 16 September 2020, the Federal Government and the Central Council of Jews in Germany signed an annex to the agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Central Council. According to the new agreement, the Federal Government will provide an additional 22 million euro to the Central Council of Jews in Germany for structural protection measures for Jewish facilities. The aim is to bring safety and security up to a universally high level throughout Germany.

Federal Minister Seehofer said, "Jewish people must be able to live in safety and security in Germany. This is part of Germany’s national ethos. The Jewish community can be sure that the Federal Government is doing everything possible to provide the needed protection. We are aware of our responsibility."

The President of the Central Council, Dr Schuster, said, "The costs of providing security often place a considerable financial strain on our Jewish congregations. The attack in Halle, however, made it painfully clear that Jewish life requires serious and massive protection. We greatly appreciate the Federal Government’s commitment."

In the wake of the attack on the synagogue in Halle, Germany’s federal and state governments agreed on 5 December 2019 to add to their already extensive measures for protecting Jewish life and fighting antisemitism. As part of this, Jewish congregations will receive financial assistance so that they can quickly implement the needed structural and technical security measures.

In signing the annex, the Federal Government underscores its commitment to resolutely opposing every form of antisemitism as an attack on our free and democratic basic order. The Federal Government feels a special duty to the Jewish community and opposes all trends to forget or remain silent about the Nazi genocide of the Jews.