When right-wing extremists proudly speak of "national liberated zones", the alarm is sounded for the rule of law and democracy and all true patriots are given a reason to hang their heads in shame.
There are reasons and explanations for racism and racist violence, but nothing can justify them. Anyone who uses violence must be punished – the quicker the better.
I do not want to roll out the old argument about Germany's standing in the world. How we are viewed from outside is certainly important. But first and foremost we owe it to ourselves to see that xenophobia is eradicated.
VII.
When we discuss immigration and integration it is not only legitimate but important that we consider our own interests too.
Anyone who comes to Germany must accept the democratically established rules. They are the basis of our society, of our interaction with all others in it. These rules are designed to aid integration, not exclusion. They provide enough leeway for cultural diversity. They guarantee freedom of belief and minority rights.
These rules do however also set limits which nobody may disregard on the basis of their origin or religious conviction.
An important example of this is the rights and role of women in society. Everyone must know that we will not tolerate women having lesser rights on the basis of any tradition or culture.
Everyone must obey the rules that our society has derived for itself, immigrants and Germans.
Integration does not happen of its own accord. It has to be worked for. And that is often hard work.
We must not misunderstand this new effort as a charitable action by which we are doing foreigners a favor. If we are doing something to improve integration, we are not simply acting out of solidarity or Christian neighborly love, but in our own enlightened interest.
There is much debate about whether we are, or should be, a "multicultural society". I can only say that we certainly have a culturally diverse society. However, the different cultures often live side by side rather than together. That is alright as long as diversity is not mistaken for randomness and if we are agreed that a society is not the sum total of minorities.
We need a common idea of how we in Germany intend to live together. We need clear values which ensure that we are all pulling in the same direction.
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