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Merkel soothes Jewish ire over circumcision row
Published: 26 Nov 12 07:39 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20121126-46383.html
Angela Merkel has tried to ease the concerns of Germany's Jews over a disputed court ruling against circumcision, becoming the first chancellor to address the Jewish community's annual council meeting.
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"I am delighted... that there is a lively Jewish community in Germany," added the chancellor.
In a ruling published in June, a court in the western city of Cologne judged the rite to be tantamount to grievous bodily harm, prompting international outrage and calls for more legal clarity.
The ruling united Jewish and Muslim groups in opposition and German diplomats admitted privately that it had proved "disastrous" for Germany's international image, particularly in light of its Nazi past.
Merkel was reported to have cautioned that Germany risked becoming a "laughing stock" if circumcision were banned in the country.
Last month, her cabinet passed a draft law to permit circumcision and clarify the legal situation. Merkel said she believed it to be a "balanced text."
"I hope it can be agreed in the Bundestag before Christmas," she added, referring to the German lower house of parliament.
The new bill stipulated certain provisos for a boy to be circumcised. Among these conditions, the draft law said the practice must be carried out "professionally" and "with the most effective pain relief."
An exception must also be made in individual cases if there are health risks, for example if the infant is suspected of being a haemophiliac.
The head of the central committee for Jews in Germany, Dieter Graumann, thanked Merkel for her assistance in what he described as "difficult times."
"It is important that German politicians acted and came up with legislation that we can live with," Graumann said. "This visit has done us good in a time that is difficult for us," he added.
Merkel also used the visit to reiterate Berlin's support of Israel following eight days of violence in and around Gaza, which left 166 Palestinians and six Israelis dead.
"Every country has the right to defend itself. This is not only the right but also the duty of every government," said Merkel.
AFP/mry
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Your comments about this article:
Why report on one sides outrage, while ignoring the others?
The decision to allow this by professional qualified persons is correct.
""German diplomats admitted privately that it had proved "disastrous" for Germany's international image, particularly in light of its Nazi past.
Only in their minds, never saw it on the head line of any international paper.
Religious practices that contravene our civil laws should not be permitted to take precedence just because some religious fanatics want to practice and impose their antiquated religious beliefs into the German society. Germany has strict laws against child abuse, but yet we will allow the practice of circumcision of infants and minors (a clear example of child abuse) to continue, lest we offend someone's religious beliefs. Where the hell is the logic here?
By the same token why not allow the Muslims living in Germany to have four wives? After all, its permitted in the Koran and been their their religious practice for the past 1432 years. Aren't we afraid of offending their religious belief?
The written German constitution not only guarantees the freedom of religion, but also the protection of children in accordance with international agreements. A government which is completely biased and continuously breaches its own basic laws cannot be trusted!
Click your handsets twice, if you can`t answer, boys.
Oh well...
Must have earned a week of R and R after spinning the latest Gaza massacre 24/7. Or still mopping up Hearts and Minds on another website?
Nevermind, dear posters. Let`s just bask in the sanity while it lasts.
well,I must agree with you, every country has the right to fix its laws and then the citizens must obay to the laws. but the Jews are wellcome in Israel , there they can practice their religion without being disturbe,as much as I know the circumcision is not forbidden in USA.
Berlin fuer alles
Germany and other European countries and also USA and Russia sell weapons,also Israel sells weapon and also China export weapons, but where is the linkeage between Jews who live in Germany and practice their religion , the circumcision act ,which is practice also by moslems, and the weapons sold to Israel?
If adult men decide to cut off the loose ends of their naughty bits, they're welcome to it. But doing this to children is unconscionable. The German court's decision is just and should be respected. Parents who want to carry out a barbaric ritual should have to travel to countries that permit the practice.
Did she rub in cream, I find that helps when you have a sore ire.
as long as there are wars and aggresion in the middle east ,the countries there will buy weapons,and it has nothing to do with circumcision law
I do agree with you that the German law must be respected
You think this ritual is barbaric , it is your right of course to have such opinion , but there are millions of people around the world who do not condivide the same opinion as you got, the circumcision is part of their culture and they still support it,
yes it is true people who wish to live after their religion and tradition should do it in countries who permit it.
Many of millions of people also feel the same way about female circumcision, that it is an important part of their culture, yet people who feel these practices are barbaric feel a need to try and stop them wherever they take place, simply because it is human nature (we hope) to oppose barbarism wherever it takes place.
You may be interested in the article this week on DW.de (the German government public broadcaster) about what is happening right now regarding female circumcision in Egypt, it is quite illuminating.
!.) they require parental permission.
2.) that this is performed in accordance with sound medical practices.
Thank you , if to be practical Isee no way how you can change the believe and the tradition of millions of people in Asia- Africa, I can see it done in Germany or other European countries.
Raandy
As much as I know there is no such law in the states as I have family members in California , it may be different laws among the individual states ,I really can not say it.
I guess the practice is under medical laws,