Dispute over street names: Treitschke or Betty Katz? Decision falls!

At the educational and cultural committee of the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district council, there was an intensive discussion on the renaming of the Treitschkestraße on Wednesday evening in the Citizens' Hall of the Zehlendorfer town hall. The main focus is on the critical examination of Heinrich von Treitschke, whose anti -Semitic statements, in particular his work "The Jews are our misfortune", are in focus in the current debate.

While a majority of residents are against the renaming-earlier surveys resulted in a rejection of 75% (2012) and 85% (2022/23)-the district assembly has already decided to rename the street into Betty-Katz-Straße. Betty Katz, who worked as a director of the Jewish blind home, was murdered in 1944 and her achievements are to be honored with the new street name.

renaming and political disputes

The CDU speaks against the renaming and emphasizes that Treitschke's views are controversial and the name is a historical document. CDU MP Claudia Wein had previously invited the residents to participate in the meeting in a letter. The history of the renewal attempts is complicated: While the CDU and FDP were against a renaming in the 2000s, the development has now changed.

The anti -Semitism representatives Felix Klein and Sigmount Königsberg made a clear position and spoke out against the honor. Klein described him as a "spiritual arsonist" and Königsberg sees parallels to the present. In the political debate, the left and the Greens criticize the CDU for their position and demand a clear attitude against anti -Semitism.

Betty Katz: A symbolic decision

Betty Katz was born in Poznan in 1872 and was proud of her commitment to education, especially for the needy and disabled people. In September 2022, the district council decided to rename Treitschkestrasse to Betty-Katz-Straße, the proposal was supported by the Greens, SPD and FDP in the cultural committee, while the CDU did not participate. 55 suggestions for a new street name were submitted by residents.

The Evangelical Patmos Church offers support for older people in the course of the renaming. In memory of Betty Katz, it is important to keep your life in life and the fate of the Schoa victims visible, as your descendants have no place to commemorate them. Her name is recorded on a stumbling block that is reminiscent of your life's work, while the renaming is considered a symbolic sign of respect and tolerance, according to the Cultural Committee Chairman Katharina Concu (FDP) and other politicians.