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Hans-Joachim Watzke wins the Leo Baeck Prize
In his speech, the President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Dr. Josef Schuster, paid tribute to the fact that under Watzke's leadership, Borussia Dortmund has become an important partner of the Central Council in the prevention of anti-Semitism: "Hans-Joachim Watzke is the intellectual trailblazer of this commitment. In these times, we need people like him who stand alongside the Jewish community and tirelessly support their cause."
Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst said: "It is our responsibility and our duty to fight anti-Semitism with all our strength. Jewish life is part of our society. Sport, and football in particular, with its millions of fans and many thousands of active players and volunteers, can be a role model in this regard. Hans-Joachim Watzke recognised this responsibility early on and is committed to fighting anti-Semitism and exclusion – whether it is through major campaigns at the stadium or through numerous activities that take place in the background and go unnoticed by the public. For many years, Hans-Joachim Watzke has taken a credible, clear and resolute stand against hatred and hate speech, and his exemplary commitment has had an impact far beyond the football world."
Hans-Joachim Watzke said: "The fight against anti-Semitism must be conducted by society as a whole. But football can and must take a clear stance too. It is the great responsibility of a big club to have a political – not a party political – guiding effect. To utilise its appeal, to get people on board. Even as a child and young person, I was very interested in Jewish history and I have always studied the Holocaust, the greatest crime in human history. And I witnessed how latent anti-Semitism still prevailed among some older people in the 1960s, also in terms of their language – that shook me. That gave rise to a mental attitude that such suffering must never happen to the Jewish people again. I am very honoured that our sustained work against anti-Semitism has now been recognised with the Leo Baeck Prize."
Since 1957, the Central Council of Jews has honoured people who have made outstanding contributions to the Jewish community with the Leo Baeck Prize, which commemorates the Rabbi Leo Baeck. The award winners include former German Presidents Richard von Weizsäcker (1994), Roman Herzog (1998) and Christian Wulff (2011), former German Chancellor Angela Merkel (2007) and other public figures.