Signal against anti-Semitism: Charlemagne Prize for Chief Rabbi Goldschmidt
Published: Thursday, May 9th 2024, 16:21
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The President of the European Rabbinical Conference, Pinchas Goldschmidt, received the International Charlemagne Prize 2024 in Aachen on Thursday. According to the Charlemagne Prize Board of Directors, this sends the signal "that Jewish life is a natural part of Europe and that there must be no place for anti-Semitism in Europe". The 60-year-old Chief Rabbi was honored for his commitment to European values, understanding and interreligious dialogue. Together with Goldschmidt, the Jewish communities in Europe were honored. The Charlemagne Prize consists of a certificate and a medal and is awarded for services to understanding in Europe.
In his speech, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) said that by awarding the prize, the Charlemagne Prize jury was sending out a signal against anti-Semitism, which has become more pronounced in recent years than it has been for a long time. He paid tribute to the interfaith dialog between Muslims and Jews, which Goldschmidt has helped to promote - Goldschmidt is a co-founder of the European Muslim-Jewish Leadership Council. Another speaker was the Albanian head of government Edi Rama.
In his speech, the orthodox Rabbi Goldschmidt referred to the increase in anti-Semitic crimes. He said that a lot was being done to combat anti-Semitism and give Jewish people security. But what is being done is not enough. "Jewish people did not dare to be recognizable as Jewish," he said urgently. They changed their names with parcel and delivery services for fear of violence.
The protective equipment of many communities needed an update of state support throughout Europe. Efforts to investigate and convict perpetrators of anti-Jewish crimes should be intensified, he demanded. There are strong analyses and tools in Europe to combat anti-Semitism, he said. "I ask you to implement them, consistently, nationally and internationally," he said emphatically.
The 60-year-old Jewish cleric has been President of the Conference of European Rabbis, which brings together more than 700 rabbis, since 2011. The Zurich-born rabbi lived in Moscow for more than 30 years. After refusing to support the Russian attack on Ukraine, he left the country with his family in 2022.
Goldschmidt said that he would like to see more solidarity with the Jewish state. He also had problems with the current Israeli government, with the "right-wing extremist ministers". With regard to the Gaza war, he said that Hamas had started the war and could end it immediately by releasing the hostages and laying down its arms.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) declared at Platform X on the occasion of the award ceremony that the Jewish communities have a firm place in Europe and in Germany. Their work should be taken for granted. "The fact that the Charlemagne Prize of Aachen goes to them and Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt is an important sign for tolerance and against anti-Semitism," explained the Chancellor.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also offered his congratulations. He emphasized the consistency with which Goldschmidt resigned from his position as Chief Rabbi of Moscow and turned his back on Russia after the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. "You have never hesitated to clearly point out differences and stand up for your position," Steinmeier explained. He said he was grateful that the European Rabbinical Conference had been based in Munich since last year.
Goldschmidt, who was accompanied by his family, surprised the audience in Aachen by saying that he was the scion of a North Rhine-Westphalian family that lived 250 years ago in what is now a district of Olsberg in the Sauerland region. He could visit the graves of his ancestors there.
Many statesmen and personalities have been honored with the Charlemagne Prize since 1950, including Emmanuel Macron, Helmut Kohl, Tony Blair, Bill Clinton and Pope Francis. In 2023, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky received the prize.
There were several demonstrations on the fringes of the award ceremony. At one rally, a banner with anti-Semitic content was displayed. Overall, the events were peaceful, according to the police.
©Keystone/SDA
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