Jerusalem — The success of the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Germany’s weekend elections was met in Israel with a mix of concern and restraint, with the two countries’ close relations a factor. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated German Chancellor Angela Merkel on winning a fourth term in Sunday’s elections and expressed concern at growing anti-Semitism, but did not mention the AfD party by name. "Israel is concerned over the rise of anti-Semitism in recent years among political elements from the right and left, as well as from Islamist elements," Netanyahu’s office quoted him as saying in a phone call with the German leader. He also "called on the new government that would be formed to act to strengthen the forces in Germany that accept the historic responsibility" of the Holocaust. Israeli survivors of Hitler’s Europe said that they were shocked and worried by the result — in which the AfD won about 13%, the best showing for a nationalist force s...
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