Germany has a deep and painful history with respect to its treatment of Jews and Jewish communities, most notably during the Holocaust. Seeing what’s happening in Israel at this time is morally not justifiable. It’s simply horrible and terrifying. My parents came to Germany for safety because of the Antisemitism there was in the Soviet Union. Now, I have to be afraid that someone sees my Magen David or someone hears how I talk in Hebrew. I feel powerless and sick to my stomach when I see people post something about ”free Palestine.” This has nothing to do with politics anymore. This is simply Antisemitism.

I never felt 100% safe as a Jew in Germany for many reasons. Still, now I am just disappointed and shocked and simultaneously afraid of what consequences the situation in Israel has for us here in Germany. Are we on our way to the second Holocaust? 

In Germany, I go to a Jewish school. I am scared if someone sees me leaving or entering my school. I thought I was safe in MY OWN COUNTRY. Can I still call Germany my home when hearing about demonstrations where people shouted ”Juden out“ and ” Gas the Jews?“ 

”Never Again,” they said 70 years ago. Never again will a Jewish family be burned to death in their own homes, and never again will Jewish children be kidnapped from their beds and dragged through the streets. That never again Jewish girls be raped then murdered, that never again Jews have to hide or pretend they are dead, just not to be killed, just because they’re Jewish. Never again, they said.

Now it’s our time. We need to speak up and fulfill the promise.