While German Chancellor Angela Merkel (pictured) has vowed that the German parliament will pass legislation legalizing circumcision in the fall, negotiations over the language of such a bill have revealed that many in the Bundestag may push for restrictions on the practice such as forcing the use of anesthetics or requiring a doctor to be present. Photo: Jacques Grießmayer.

The Conference of European Rabbis (CER) honored German Chancellor Angela Merkel this week with the Lord Jakobovits Prize for European Jewry at the Great Synagogue of Europe in Brussels for her public denunciation of European anti-Semitism and her support of the German Jewish community.

“Chancellor Merkel is a worthy recipient in recognition of her continuing efforts of inter-communal harmony across Europe, her friendship towards the Jewish community and outstanding contributions to the promotion of tolerance and understanding,” said the CER’s president, Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, according to Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA).

In her acceptance speech, Merkel said the fight against anti-Semitism “is a paramount duty of a free democratic state,” and also stressed the importance of the education of new generations about Nazi-era atrocities.