German president condemns anti-Israel protests in phone call with Rivlin

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier phones Israeli counterpart Reuven Rivlin to express his dismay over recent anti-Semitic demonstrations in Berlin that followed US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

“President Steinmeier told the President that such acts of hatred and racism had no place in Germany, and condemned them outright,” according to a statement released from Rivlin’s office. “He explained to the President the ongoing activity by the German authorities and security forces to combat racism, and prosecute the perpetrators,” the statement continues.

The condemnation follows a statement from German government spokesman Steffen Seibert, who said his country was “ashamed” of demonstrations against the US decision.

“At certain rallies over the weekend, slogans were chanted, Israeli flags were burned and slander against the state of Israel and Jews in general were spread which were shameful,” Seibert said.

At a protest last Friday in front of the US embassy in the German capital and this past Sunday in the ethnically diverse Neukoelln district of Berlin, demonstrators burned the Israeli flag and witnesses heard shouts of “Death to the Jews” in Arabic and German.