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December 7, 2001/Kislev 22, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 13
Neo-Nazis stage huge protest in Berlin
TOBY AXELROD
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
BERLIN - The Jewish community in Berlin is enjoying widespread public support following one of the largest neo-Nazi rallies in postwar Germany.
The Dec. 1 demonstration brought some 3,300 supporters of the extreme-right National Democratic Party of Germany, known by its German initials NPD, within a few blocks of two synagogues and other Jewish venues.
The neo-Nazis were protesting an exhibit on the "Crimes of the Wehrmacht" that opened in Berlin Nov. 27.
The exhibit, which documents the participation of the ordinary German army in Nazi war crimes, is on display in Berlin until January and then will travel to other venues in Germany.
The exhibit is controversial because Germans for years refused to admit that the regular army participated in Nazi war crimes. Most Germans believed such actions were confined to special units like the SS, Hitler's elite guard of storm troopers.
Paul Spiegel, head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, called the NPD demonstration a "provocation of huge dimensions."
His view was reflected by countless mainstream politicians, parties and activist groups. Some made a point of visiting the exhibit, among them Berlin's new mayor, Klaus Wowereit, and many members of parliament.
"The neo-Nazis probably haven't even seen the exhibit," said Rita Kantemir, 61, who watched the NPD marchers assemble and later shouted insults at them. "They don't want to confront this history."
"It is shameful that they are allowed to march here," said Hans Thomae-Venske, 50, who wanted to "show solidarity with the Jewish community and to show the neo-Nazis that we will have nothing to do with their inhuman ideology."
A group that has few actual members - about 6,000 nationwide - and virtually no political clout, the NPD managed as it often does to grab attention by choosing a sensitive route.
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