Zurich politicians condemn knife attack on Jewish man
Published: Monday, Mar 4th 2024, 09:41
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The knife attack on an orthodox Jew in Zurich on Saturday evening occupied the Zurich Cantonal Council on Monday. Politicians condemned the attack, while the SVP caused a stir among left-wing cantonal councillors.
Left-wing MPs left the chamber when the SVP-EDU parliamentary group made its statement on Monday morning. Group leader Tobias Weidmann (SVP, Hettlingen) called "dutiful condemnations" hypocritical. Anti-Semitism today is not wearing combat boots, but an Arafat scarf and a Che Guevara T-shirt, he said.
Sonja Rueff-Frenkel (FDP, Zurich) was surprised by the behavior of the left, even if she was "shocked" by the SVP-EDU statement. Rueff-Frenkel, who is Jewish herself, opposed a left-right debate. "Anti-Semitism is a social problem," she said. If her son, who goes to school wearing a kippah, is attacked, she doesn't care whether the attacker thinks left or right.
The EPP also issued a parliamentary group statement. Markus Schaaf (Zell) demanded that all questions be asked after this "act of terror". For example, why a 15-year-old committed such an act and who instigated it.
Justice Director Jacqueline Fehr (SP) announced a full investigation into the attack on peaceful coexistence. Hate and exclusion would not be tolerated, everyone should be able to feel safe here. Everyone needs to take a stand against racism and anti-Semitism. However, she warned that until all the facts are available, caution should be exercised with partial information.
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