BERLIN, June 3: German leaders warned on Monday that criticism of Israel could lead to charges of anti-Semitism and harm their country’s image abroad.

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said on Monday the Free Democrats (FDP) opposition party must clearly distance itself from recent comments by its deputy leader, Juergen Moelleman, saying Israel was fuelling anti-Jewish sentiment through its actions against Palestinians.

Moellemann’s comments prompted public soul-searching. Germany has traditionally been a strong backer of Israel and extremely sensitive about discussing Jewish affairs.

“This (criticism) must be stopped because it damages Germany in an international context,” Schroeder told journalists in Berlin.

At a party congress on Sunday, Schroeder’s Social Democrats approved a motion declaring the Free Democrats could not be considered a potential coalition partner following elections due in September as long as they stuck to an anti-Israel line.

Moellemann, who is also head of the German-Arab Association, was criticized by the Jewish community last month for defending a Syrian-born regional politician who accused Israel of using “Nazi methods” against the Palestinians.

Moellemann also appeared to condone Palestinian suicide bombings and suggested that Sharon and Michel Friedman, deputy leader of Germany’s Jews, fuelled anti-Semitism through their actions.

The FDP offered the Jewish community an apology for Moellemann’s remarks.

Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, a leading Green, said Germany had an impeccable reputation in Israel and with the Jewish community worldwide, but warned of the damage that could be done if Moellemann’s ideas took hold.—Reuters