Germany’s central bank distanced itself this week from a board member who stereotyped Muslims and Jews, saying his remarks were harmful and vi-olated the Bun-desbank’s code of conduct.
The comments by Thilo Sarrazin surrounding the launch of his new book on immigration issues sparked outrage from German lawmakers and community leaders, and many agreed with Chancellor Angela Merkel that he should be removed from the bank’s board.
Sarrazin maintains that Muslim immigrants in Europe are unwilling or incapable of integrating into Western societies and that studies have proven that “all Jews share the same gene.”
The Bundesbank said in a statement that its chairman would meet with Sarrazin before deciding on further measures, adding that it is “an institution in which there is no room for discrimination.” — ap