Published date: 12th Sep 2001, International Herald Tribune

BERLIN – A senior figure in Germany’s Jewish community has attacked a proposal by a leading Christian Democrat to make national identity an election campaign issue. 

Michel Friedman, deputy leader of the Central Council of Jews in Germany and a Christian Democrat himself, told Radio Eins on Tuesday that stirring up nationalist sentiments before next year’s elections would “only arouse emotions.”  

Roland Koch, the party’s state premier in Hesse, has proposed flying the black, red and yellow flag of Germany in classrooms and making sure that children know the national anthem. German flags are rarely displayed at schools. (Reuters)  

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