Although Berlin’s mayor, Kai Wegner, insists that there is “no place for Anti-semitism” in Germany's capital city, he has reportedly used taxpayers’ money to bankroll an event promoting Islamism and voicing Anti-Israel sentiments.

Kai Wegner is an ideal example of a convenient, Anti-semitic opportunist. He does not chant anti-Jewish slogans, attack Jewish people, or spread conspiracy theories — and yet, he poses a greater danger to the Jews living in his city than any left-wing party official, at least according to the nius.de news site, which also cited a concrete example of Mr. Wegner’s anti-Jewish policies.

Last weekend, the city of Berlin organised and funded an Islamist family festival at which participants called for the destruction of Israel . Children were invited to paint Palestinian flags in a “creative corner.” Muslim men took to the stage to complain that they were being portrayed as extremists, while a young girl claimed that Muslims were being “selected and slaughtered” in Germany.

Middle East Without Israel

At the event, visitors could purchase a T-shirt printed with a map showing a Middle East in which Israel no longer existed. One artist, for example, was selling scarves printed with the outline of a map, accompanied by the words “Falastin” and “Palestine” in Arabic and English. Israel was nowhere to be found on this map. According to Middle East experts, such depictions amount to calls for the annihilation of Israel.

As for the event’s funding, Berlin’s Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family Affairs provided the following explanation:

“The ‘Unity Fest’ project was financed from the youth budget of the ‘Stark gemacht! Jugenddemokratiefonds Berlin’ (Empowered! Berlin Youth Democracy Fund) programme. Here, young people make independent decisions on projects up to a value of 20,000 euros.”

In other words, 20,000 euros of taxpayers’ money was spent on promoting Islamism and Jew-hatred — all with the knowledge and approval of Mr. Wegner, who repeatedly insists that there is “no place for antisemitism” in Berlin, nius.de wrote in its sharp critique.

In addition to political messages, the festival also featured a bouncy castle, non-alcoholic drinks, an Islamic quiz , painting activities, and a poetry competition. The Senate’s education administration told the B.Z. news portal that it was examining the matter of the festival’s public funding.

“The question is whether the subsidised event had violated the funding guidelines of the ‘Empowered! Berlin Youth Democracy Fund’ programme.”

The Palestinian scarves were probably not listed in the original grant application, because if they had been, the Senate said, the event would not have been eligible for funding.

“If the violation is confirmed, we expressly reserve the right to apply consequences — including reclaiming the funds, as well as taking further legal and administrative steps,”

– the Senate’s spokesperson declared.