Germany’s domestic intelligence service is the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution). Our chairman Elio Adler met its President, Mr Thomas Haldenwang, and set out to him why the “WerteInitiative” could in fact just as well have been called “Verfassungsschutz” – protection of the constitution. After all, our association addresses matters that stand in the way of a Jewish future in Germany and thus of the constitution itself. Mr Haldenwang emphasised to us the high priority that the fight against antisemitism has within his authority. There was agreement that, alongside right-wing extremists, Islamists and left-wing extremists too frequently share antisemitism as common ground. It was particularly important to Mr Adler to underline that untroubled confidence in the security authorities is, for many Jewish women and men, a basic precondition for continuing to see themselves and their families in Germany in future. The President of the BfV was entirely clear about this and deliberately positions himself in solidarity at our side. We have agreed that we may invite him as a panel guest to one of our forthcoming events, and we are already looking forward to it. Many thanks for your work and that of your authority, and likewise for the good conversation.
