The Central Council of Jews in Germany wants the government to begin a criminal investigation into Google and YouTube for airing neo-Nazi and Nazi videos they claim violate Germany"s strict laws against inciting hatred toward minorities. Salomon Korn, VP of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, called for an investigation of YouTube for allegedly allowing the spread of anti-Semitic propaganda. They include World War II Nazi propaganda clips, as well as recent clips from neo-Nazi groups active in Germany. German journalists said one of the YouTube-aired clips was viewed more than 400,000 times in eight months, despite pleas from several German groups to take it down.
German leaders and citizens are struggling with their nation"s image and how to eliminate hate groups. The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights has published its "Report on Racism and Xenophobia in the Member States of the E.U.," which indicates a 14% increase in the amount of racist violence and crime in Germany from 2005 to 2006, when groups reported 18,142 such incidents. The report cautioned that the increase in violent incidents could be attributed to better reporting. Either way, the recent incidents are front-page news in a nation still trying to improve its democracy and image nearly 75 years after Hitler took power.