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At a star-studded gala dinner in the Frankfurt Inter-Continental Hotel on June 10, Ralph Hofmann, outgoing president of B’nai B’rith Europe, presented Mathias Döpfner with the B’nai B’rith Europe 2014 Award of Merit.

In his introductory words Hofmann said: “Dr. Mathias Döpfner is a firm opponent of any form of anti-Semitism. 

He supports the State of Israel and the Jewish people not only with his words but also with his deeds.”

Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble, German Minister of Financial Affairs, praised Döpfner’s support for the State of Israel: “Dr. Döpfner’s voice is constant in its support of Israel and of the special relationship which Germany has for Israel and for the Jewish people.”

In accepting the award Döpfner said: “This award has made me extremely happy. We, the publishing company and its journalists stand firmly on the side of freedom, of democracy and of the Jewish people. My guiding principle is never to tolerate intolerance.”

At the conclusion of Dopfner’s remarks, he was greeted with a standing ovation.

Among the numerous dignitaries at the gala dinner were the Ambassador of Israel Yakov Hadas-Handelsman, the General Consul of the United States of America Kevin Milas, President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi and Charlotte Knobloch, for many years president of the Central Committee of Jews in Germany. 

In the closing speech, Israel’s ambassador, noting the current football fever, nominated Mathias Döpfner the captain of Germany’s Friends of Israel team.