Accusations of racism are not just being levelled at right-wing skinheads, however, but also at some of the country's leading politicians. Jurgen Mollemann, vice-president of the Conservative Free Democrats (FDP), recently attracted attention by condemning Israeli military incursions into the occupied territories. But he went still further, controversially claiming that Ariel Sharon's actions, as well as the attitude of Germany's Jewish Council, are stoking the fire of anti-Semitism. Dr. Michel Friedman, leader of the Council, is appalled by these remarks; he believes that Germans should never be allowed to forget their past. But German youngsters disagree, feeling that guilt about the past is being heaped upon their shoulders: "I think they still have to learn about the history at school, but I don't want to be treated as though I was guilty." Germany's past is a burden for both Jews and Germans alike, but should it really be allowed to prevent a sensible debate from taking place?

Produced by ABC Australia