Germany's Central Council of Jews is opposed to plans to reintroduce the Iron Cross as a new bravery medal for German solidiers. The decoration, they say, is tied too closely with World War II.
An Iron Cross dating from 1813, when the medal was first introduced.
Stephan Cramer, the General Secretary of the Council, said he had no problems with such a medal per se and that it was overdue for Germany's modern army, the Bundeswehr.
"But one must clearly reject any plans to carry on the tradition of the 'Iron Cross'," Kramer said in a statement. "Introducing the 'Iron Cross' as a possible bravery medal for the Bundeswehr, as being discussed by some people including General Inspector (Wolfgang) Schneiderhan, would refer back to a disastrous tradition which led to humanity's greatest crime during National Socialism," said Kramer in a statement.
