“In spite of the remarks of the German commissioner on antisemitism, which we all agreed are dangerous and amount to a surrender to hate, we wanted to show that we will not be intimidated or marginalised. We were touched that the Mayor of Ulm, a city which has long Jewish history, showed his solidarity with us and walked with us around his city. ”

BERLIN—40 Rabbis from all over Europe affiliated to the Rabbinical Centre of Europe (RCE)  – walked the streets of the German city of Ulm on Tuesday , a couple of days after controversial remarks by Germany’s commissioner on antisemitism,  Felix Klein, who advised Jews against wearing their Kippot or skullcaps in public areas because of rising antisemitism in the country.

The defiant rabbis were accompanied by the Mayor of Ulm who wanted to show his solidarity.

Speaking at the rabbinical meeting in the ancient German city, the Chairman of the Rabbinical Centre of Europe, Rabbi Menachem Margolin said, “The Rabbinical Centre of Europe exists to ensure the survival, support and development of European Jewry. We met today to discuss issues affecting Jews and to debate and discuss issued relevant to Jewish law, custom and practise.

“Above all we met to underline that Jews are not removed from European society but are an intrinsic part of Europe’s cultural and theological fabric.

He added: “In spite of the remarks of the German commissioner on antisemitism, which we all agreed are dangerous and amount to a surrender to hate, we wanted to show that we will not be intimidated or marginalised. We were touched that the Mayor of Ulm, a city which has long Jewish history, showed his solidarity with us and walked with us around his city. ”

“This is this kind of message that other political figures and representatives should be advocating, instead of a message of defeat to extremism by asking Jews to hide their identity.”