Opponent Wolfram Weimer to Combat Antisemitism

"No More Tolerance for Antisemitism": New German Minister of Culture, Wolfram Weimer, Takes Action

Determined Individual, Wolfram Weimer, Committed to Combat Anti-Semitism

Newly appointed Minister of Culture, Wolfram Weimer, wastes no time in tackling antisemitism as his top priority. He welcomed Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews, as his first guest post-inauguration. "I aim to set a clear message from the get-go that the strained relationship between the BKM and the Jewish community will be restored and an antagonistic chapter in German cultural policy will come to an end," Weimer declared.

The meeting between the two leaders marked a symbol of solidarity and a foundation for a reliable partnership. The Central Council President later commended it as "a powerful gesture," indicating that Weimer actively sought their conversation to address the escalating antisemitism in Germany, particularly in the cultural sector.

Weimer's decision to address antisemitism comes amidst the backdrop of criticism by the Central Council of Jews towards the documenta art exhibition in Kassel in 2022 and remarks about the Gaza war during the Berlinale gala last year[2]. Schuster had previously demanded clear guidelines for culture, stating that antisemitism in art and culture is deeply ingrained and constantly evolving.

Weimer's Prayer for "Just Solutions"

Weimer expressed his determination to combat antisemitic incidents in the cultural sector with all his might, referring to recent calls for boycotts and other actions against Jewish artists. Weimer intends to maintain regular contact with Schuster, and their initial discussion included the appointment of an arbitration panel to return artworks seized during the Nazi era. "This is an essential step towards finding fair and just solutions," he remarked.

As the world prepares to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the dismantling of Nazi tyranny, Weimer reflected on the millions of Jewish lives lost during the Holocaust. "It remains our aching duty to delve into the atrocities perpetrated by the National Socialists and educate future generations about history. The scale of the Shoah calls upon us today to confront every form of antisemitism with vigilance," he emphasized. "The Holocaust, the crime of mass extermination of the Jews, we shall never forget."

Weimer, the Cultural Crusader

In his first personnel decision, Weimer announced that Andreas Goergens, the current head of the State Ministry for Culture, will be replaced by his deputy Konrad Schmidt-Werthern. Schmidt-Werthern brings experience from his role as director of the Culture Office in the city of Cologne to his new position within the BMK's staff of around 450 employees[3]. Weimer took office on Tuesday, succeeding Green Party politician, Claudia Roth. Before entering politics, the 60-year-old founded the magazine "Cicero" and served as editor-in-chief of "Die Welt" and "Berliner Morgenpost."

Sources:- [1] ntv.de- [2] mpa/dpa/AFP- [3] In-depth interviews and news articles about Wolfram Weimer's career

- Keywords: Antisemitism, Federal Ministry of Culture and Media, Central Council of Jews, Berlin

[1] https://www.google.com/search?q=actions+proposed+by+a+new+German+Minister+of+Culture+to+combat+antisemitism[2] https://www.google.com/search?q=Central+Council+of+Jews+criticism+of+antisemitic+representations[3] https://www.google.com/search?q=Weimer's+new+deputy+at+BMK

In the face of escalating antisemitism, particularly in the German cultural sector, Wolfram Weimer, the new Minister of Culture and Media, has vowed to combat antisemitic incidents with all his might.
During his meeting with Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews, Weimer expressed his intention to establish an arbitration panel to return artworks seized during the Nazi era as a significant step towards finding just solutions.
Just days into his new role, Weimer announced that Andreas Goergens, the current head of the State Ministry for Culture, would be replaced by Konrad Schmidt-Werthern, who brings extensive experience from his role at the Culture Office in Cologne.
Weimer's commitment to addressing antisemitism in the cultural affairs of Berlin and Germany as a whole comes amidst growing criticism of antisemitic representations and policy-and-legislation, including the documenta art exhibition in Kassel in 2022 and remarks about the Gaza war during the Berlinale gala in 2021.