FILE-In this June 19, 2014 file photo the director of the Jewish Museum in Berlin, Peter Schaefer, smiles into the camera prior to a news conference in Berlin, Germany, The Central Council of Jews in Germany is welcoming the resignation of the director of Berlin’s Jewish Museum amid criticism of his involvement in the debate over the boycott movement against Israel. (Daniel Naupold/dpa via AP)

German Jewish group applauds museum director's resignation

By Associated Press New Berlin

PUBLISHED 8:17 AM ET Jun. 15, 2019

BERLIN (AP) — Germany's Central Council of Jews is welcoming the resignation of the director of Berlin's Jewish Museum amid accusations he promoted views critical of Israel.

Council President Andreas Schuster told dpa news agency Saturday Peter Schaefer's resignation was appropriate, especially at a time when the museum is in the process of opening a new permanent exhibition and a children's museum.

He says it is "an important step in order to prevent further damage to the institution."

Schaefer resigned Friday after a museum tweet encouraged followers to read an article that urged German lawmakers not to sign a resolution denouncing as anti-Semitic the Palestinian-led boycott against Israel.

Separately, Israel objected earlier this year to an exhibition on Jerusalem, which it argued presented a one-sided Palestinian view.