‘Neo-Nazis’ on trial in Germany

Twenty-six alleged neo-Nazis are standing trial in Koblenz state in Germany. They are accused of attacks on left-wing activists, dating as far back as 2009.

Alleged offences include setting fire to cars, scrawling neo-Nazi graffiti on walls and putting stickers saying “Rudolph Hess Street” over road signs, the Associated Press reported.

More..

Frankfurt plans prize for boycotter

Should the city of Frankfurt give a prize to someone who actively boycotts Israel? Pro-Israel activists in Germany are saying: no way.

More..

Sculpture looted by Nazis returned to rightful owners

A 500-year-old sculpture stolen from a Jewish family by the Nazis was today returned to the heirs of its rightful owners in Germany.

The wooden sculpture of St Peter, depicted wearing a golden cloak, was intended for Adolf Hitler’s "Fuhrermuseum". It is estimated to be one of 560 pieces of art work stolen from Jewish collections for the museum, reported Bloomberg.

More..

Opera star quits Bayreuth over Nazi tattoo

Rising Russian opera star Evgeny Nikitin has pulled out of the lead role in Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman at the Bayreuth opera festival after a German TV programme showed footage of the baritone sporting a Nazi tattoo.

More..

New hope for heirs of Nazi-seized assets

The New York-based Claims Conference, the main international body for distributing Holocaust restitution funds, has bowed to pressure from the Board of Deputies and agreed to allow new claims for compensation for properties seized by the Nazis in East Germany.

Until now, the Conference had resisted calls to reopen the application process to potential heirs after its deadline of 2004.

More..

Chancellor Merkel furious over German circumcision row

Jewish leaders are greeting signs that Germany will ensure the right of Jews and Muslims to circumcise their sons, following a court ruling in Cologne that puts that right in jeopardy.

More..