Israeli president Katsav warns Germans against anti-Semitism

WUPPERTAL, Germany -- Israeli President Moshe Katsav on Sunday urged Germans to fight anti-Semitism, warning that the influence of racist fringe groups cannot be underestimated.

Katsav became the first Israeli president to lead the dedication of a synagogue in Germany, when he participated in the opening ceremony for the new Bergsiche Synagogue in this western city.

"Here and there voices of anti-Semitism can be heard, also in Germany," Katsav said earlier Sunday at a news conference with his German counterpart Johannes Rau.

He said racist groups may be small but their influence was hard to measure.

Katsav launched his three-day visit amid heightened security after the rightist National Democratic Party called on supporters to take to the streets in several demonstrations against the Israeli president.

Authorities in Wuppertal banned a protest march planned by the party but kept 2,000 police on hand to ensure security.

The NDP, which the government is trying to ban for allegedly fomenting violence against Jews and other minorities, says it is protesting Israel's policy toward the Palestinians and German weapons exports to Israel.

Katsav also expressed concern over the escalation of violence in Middle East but said he was sure the two sides could achieve peace.

"The cruel acts of Palestinian terrorists are no acts of terrorism, they are much worse," Katsav said. "We will never target innocent civilians."

"Terrorists are the target of Israeli soldiers and I would like to apologize for the accidents," involving civilians, he added.

Speaking before the Jewish community later in Berlin, Katsav reiterated his hope for peace but warned that no state is "immune" from terrorism.

Officials in Berlin decided last week to allow the National Democratic Party to hold a march with about 200 supporters in the capital during Katsav's visit there today. Israeli supporters were planning a counter-demonstration at the same time.

The Israeli president was to meet political leaders including Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and visit the former Sachsenhausen concentration camp outside Berlin before departing for Italy on Tuesday.

German officials said they hoped Katsav's visit would stand as a sign of solidarity and understanding between the two countries.