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Germany to Tighten Laws Against Anti-Semitic Crimes

Durin Hendricks

   Germany intends to strengthen its laws against anti-Semitic crimes as
   part of the government's response to a deadly attack in the eastern
   part of the country.

   Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht told parliament Thursday of her
   planned amendment to the country's current law that would make
   anti-Semitism an aggravating factor for hate crimes in the nation's
   criminal code.

   Currently, discrimination againstparticular groupsis considered an
   aggravating factor, but the law does not specifically refer to Jews.

   The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) defines
   hate crimes or "bias crimes" as those "motivated by intolerance towards
   certain groups in society."

   "We have to send a clear signal against anti-Semitism," Lambrecht told
   lawmakers.
   A proposed change to the law would need to be approved by parliament,
   where the government holdsa majority ofseats.

   Halle attack

   The change is part of the government's strategy to tackle anti-Semitism
   in the country following a deadly October attack in Halle, Germany. A
   gunman opened fire on a kebab shop after failing to storm a synagogue
   on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. The shooter killed a customer in
   the shop and a passerby.

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