German Education Minister Karin Bren stated that she would emigrate from Germany if the right-wing populist party “Alternative for Germany” becomes the governing party and the chancellor.

The minister, of Jewish descent and a member of the Christian Democratic Union, said in an interview with the podcast “My Toughest Decisions” by the German media group Funke: “If the chancellor is from the Alternative for Germany party, I will definitely leave Germany before that happens. I can say that clearly today. This will no longer be my homeland, and I fear that by then it may already be too late.”

Bren added that choosing a country to emigrate to is not an easy decision, noting that the United States and Israel are not currently easy refuges, saying: “Israel might be the closest option, but it will undoubtedly be a big step.”

The minister confirmed that the German state is no longer effectively able to protect Jews from attacks on the streets, stating: “Jews who are identified by wearing a kippah or Star of David face discrimination, spitting, and assaults in public places.”

She added that many people she knows have become isolated or question whether staying in Germany is still possible, mentioning that she recently spoke in a private meeting with several Jews about the idea of preparing a financial reserve abroad in anticipation of the future, saying: “These thoughts also occur to me, and I do not completely rule them out.”

Bren emphasized the necessity of closely monitoring political developments, even though political institutions still hold clear positions, adding that it is bitter to be held accountable for decisions made by the Israeli government just because one is perceived as Jewish, saying: “This is pure anti-Semitism. These behaviors have increased recently.”