The German government on Monday condemned anti-Semitic incidents that have taken place during protests in cities across Germany in recent days.

The demonstrations were called in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the announced move of the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Many have condemned Trump’s decision claiming it undermines efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Government spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters that although Berlin opposed the move by President Trump last week, it strongly condemned protests in German cities where “hatred” of Israel and Jews was expressed.

“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.

“One has to be ashamed when hatred of Jews is put on display so openly on the streets of German cities.”

Seibert noted that Berlin had a “particular responsibility toward Israel and Jewish people in general” because Nazi Germany slaughtered six million Jews in the Holocaust.

Seibert said Germany feels a close affinity to Israel and Jews around the world, and will therefore counter anti-Semitic incitement whenever it occurs.

“No differences of opinion, including over the question of the status of Jerusalem, justify such actions,” Chancellor Angela Merkel said later Monday. Authorities “must intervene with all the means available to the state of law,” she added.

Anti-Semitism was a core part of Nazi ideology that led to the killing of over 6 million Jews in the Holocaust.

(YWN / AP)