Following Apology, Jewish Council Agrees to Meet With FDP
June 6, 2002
One day after his party's chief gave issued an ultimatum, the Free Democrats' leader in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia apologized on Thursday for recent statements that Germany's leading Jewish organization had condemned as anti-Semitic.
"I have already publicly regretted these statements made in a fit of rage. If I offended the sensibilities of Jewish people in making them, I would like to apologize," Jürgen Möllemann said on Thursday.
The FDP's beleaguered chairman and chancellor candidate, Guido Westerwelle, welcomed the news. "With this statement today, Jürgen Möllemann has cleared up the matter and I welcome his remarks," he said. "Mr. Möllemann is my deputy, he will remain my deputy, and I will continue to work with him as a major contributor to realizing our election goals."
In response, the Central Council of Jews issued a statement saying it was once again open to a dialogue with the Free Democrats in order to resolve allegations that the party has become a magnet for anti-Semites. The Council's head, Paul Spiegel, said he would would meet next week with Westerwelle, but he insisted that Möllemann be excluded.
Spiegel's demand came after Möllemann appeared on public television Thursday to further qualify his apology. "Michel Friedmann didn't earn an apology," he said, adding that the apology was directed at German Jews and not the deputy leader of the Central Council.
Last month Möllemann, who is also head of the German-Arab society, accused Friedman, of fuelling the spread of anti-Semitism in Germany with his 'intolerant, hateful style'.
Meanwhile, a controversial member of the state party whose own anti-Israel statements initially sparked the scandal also tendered his written resignation.
Jamal Karsli said that by departing from the FDP's group in the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament he hoped to avert an even larger rift in the party. He also apologized for his recent claim that the Israeli army used "Nazi methods" against Palestinians.
Karsli made the statement as he left the Green Party over what he described as its overly pro-Israel slant and applied for FDP membership. Many inside and outside the party criticized his participation in the FDP's state parliamentary group. Möllemann, however, remained a staunch defender until this week, and it was during his effort to keep Karsli that he lashed out at Friedmann.