German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has vowed to stamp out anti-Semitism at the opening of a new synagogue, amid a spike in anti-Jewish incidents, AFP reports.

“There must be zero tolerance for anti-Semitism in Germany,” Scholz said at the synagogue in the eastern city of Dessau.

Germany will “defend and protect” Jewish life, Scholz said, voicing his shock at anti-Semitism spreading “around the world and, shamefully, also here in Germany” since the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel.

There must be no turning a blind eye “when Jews are not safe on Germany’s streets, when Stars of David are smeared on homes when firebombs are thrown at synagogues”, Scholz added.