BERLIN (JTA) — A recent pro-Israel rally in Frankfurt should be the first of many, the head of Germany’s Jewish community said.
Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, who attended the Oct. 31 pro-Israel rally, told JTA she was "grateful to the organizers for making it possible for Christians and Jews to stand together for Israel."
The event in Frankfurt drew some 1,000 people representing Jewish and interfaith groups under the banner, "Israel is not alone: As a friend of Israel, you are not alone!" The main organizers were Christians on Israel’s Side, the I like Israel association, the German-Israel Society of Frankfurt and Honestly Concerned, a media watchdog organization.
The rally comes in the midst of what some Israel supporters here have called unprecedented criticism of Israel by the German government. In July, the German parliament unanimously passed a motion blasting Israel’s handling of the interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla on May 31 in which nine Turkish nationals were killed.
Germany traditionally has been a strong supporter of Israel, and the current German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has upheld that support. She initiated the first Cabinet exchange with Israel in 2008.
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