[JURIST] Members from all parties of the German parliament [official website] passed a resolution [PDF text, in German] Wednesday seeking to counter anti-Semitism [JURIST news archive] in the country. The measure requires the government to develop a report on anti-Semitic behavior and feelings in the country, and to provide funding for school programs designed to combat anti-Semitism. The legislation was approved five days before the 70th anniversary of Kristalnacht [PBS backgrounder], or the "Night of Broken Glass," when Nazi troops destroyed thousands of Jewish businesses and synagogues. The day is remembered as marking the beginning of the Holocaust [JURIST news archive]. The legislation was delayed last month [UPI report], over objections from the opposition Left Party. As a result, two identical resolutions were passed on Wednesday - one signed by the Left Party [PDF text, in German], and the other signed by the remaining four parties. DPA has more.

The US State Department now issues yearly reports [2008 report, text] to Congress on anti-Semitism around the world in the wake of President George W. Bush's 2004 signing [JURIST report] of the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004 [text, PDF]. The Act created an anti-Semitism office within the State Department and mandated an annual review and report on global anti-Semitism, in much the same way that the Department already reported on human rights and religious freedom.