'Nazi doctor' honoured
A German medical association has been described as “very tasteless and incredibly mindless” after honouring a suspected Nazi war criminal thought to have killed hundreds of children.
Dr Hans Joachim Sewering received the Guenther-Budelmann medal from the German Federation of Internal Medicine last week for his contribution to the national health system , but German magazine Der Spiegel and Jewish leaders have opposed the accolade citing documents which claim he carried out euthanasia policies under the Nazis.
Top stories
Dieter Graumann, Vice President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, told the Jewish News, “It shows a lack of sensitivity, knowledge and understanding. We are fiercely opposed to it.” He said that meetings would be held later this week to decide on the community’s response.
Campaigners at the Anti-Defamation League claim Dr Sewering, 92, sent around 900 disabled children to their death at a euthanasia centre in Munich during the Second World War. Documents published by Der Spiegel claim that while a doctor at a tuberculosis clinic near Munich, Sewering sent a 14-year-old girl to die at a euthanasia centre which was responsible for carrying out secret Nazi policies to murder weak members of society.
Jewish doctor, Michael Franzblau has spent tens of thousands of pounds to try to bring Sewering to justice. He recently took out a £30,000 advert in the New York Times asking “Why is the German state of Bavaria harbouring an accused war criminal?"
Dr Sewering has admitted being a member of the SS but denies taking part in euthanasia.
Meanwhile, a hotline has been set up in Germany for parents worried that their children are falling in with far-Right extremists.
The portal and the hotline offers counselling to parents and teachers on what to do if they notice that their children are exhibiting typical neo-nazi behaviour such as drawing swastikas on the walls, shave their head or give the Hitler salute.
Read the latest copy of The Jewish News Online by clicking here.
Other headlines
- Jerusalem's New Man At The Top - 13/11/08
- 'An End To Jewish Domination' - 13/11/08
- Jerusalem's New Mayor - 12/11/08
- Rabbi And Students Abused In Germany - 06/11/08
- Obama Makes History as 44th US President - 05/11/08
- Israel Heading For February Election - 30/10/08
- Desecration Causes $1million Damage - 30/10/08
- Peres Gives Livni Two More Weeks - 23/10/08
- UN's Ban Takes Ahmadinejad To Task - 23/10/08
- New Debate Over Pius XII - 20/10/08
- What Do You Say Now, Mahmoud! - 16/10/08
- Livni Secures Barak For Coalition - 16/10/08
- Jewish Comedians Clash Over Obama - 10/10/08
- Iranian Book Makes Mockery Of Shoah - 02/10/08
- Olmert Slams Attack On Academic - 29/09/08
