German chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned his long-standing political opponents in the far-left Die Linke, who have come under repeated attack over their connections to pro-Palestinian activists. (EPA Images pic)

BERLIN: Chancellor Friedrich Merz marked the third anniversary of the Oct 7 Hamas attack on Israel by vowing to fight antisemitism in Germany while pressing for a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Antisemitism allegations have become a prominent part of public debate in Germany, involving far-right and far-left parties.

"We are witnessing rising antisemitism in Germany -- antisemitism that far too often goes unchallenged," Merz said, adding that his government "will do everything in its power to resolutely combat antisemitism in all its forms, both new and old".