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Last update - 20:13 08/03/2008 Germany's Jews opposed to proposal for medal for bravery By DPA Tags: Jewish world, Germany  Plans to decorate German soldiers for gallantry ran into opposition from the country's Jewish community on Saturday. The move could be seen as a revival of the Iron Cross awarded extensively to Hitler's troops during World War II, according to the Central Council of Jews in Germany. The Iron Cross was "shamelessly abused" by the Nazis and is synonymous with the mass murders committed under Hitler, the council's secretary general, Stephan Kramer, said. Advertisement Kramer told Sunday's Rheinpfalz am Sonntag newspaper that he could not understand why attempts were regularly made to link up to such "disastrous" traditions. German Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung disclosed plans on Thursday for a medal of honour to be awarded to German troops who risk their lives in the call of duty. But Jung's spokesman said that, while the minister backed establishing a decoration for military bravery, there was no thought of reviving the Iron Cross. The medal would be similar in shape to the Iron Cross, which is displayed on armed forces hardware, but which has not been used as a military decoration since the end of World War II. Unlike other NATO members, today's Germany does not give awards for military gallantry. Instead there are medals for length of service and for tours of duty abroad. The Iron Cross tradition was initiated by Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III in 1813. Some 3 million Iron Crosses were awarded by the Nazis, who abused it by placing a swastika in the middle Bookmark to del.icio.us   Under probe Olmert stays focused on work despite new allegations. Taxi Hamas Hamas police cars serve as taxis in fuel-starved Gaza.   1.   bad move - very, very bad move 21:31  |  flimflam 08/03/08   2.   SCANDELOUS. NOW ONLY JEWS WOULD DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS IN GERMANY? 22:08  |  JACKAL 08/03/08   3.   Bravery? WHAT BRAVERY?!!!! 22:30  |  Mary Witherspoon 08/03/08   4.   Doubtful this version would bear a swastika. 23:24  |  Reader 08/03/08   5.   Stephan Kramer, again 23:29  |  Axel 08/03/08   6.   And would you, haaretz, please ... 23:32  |  Axel 08/03/08   7.   @ #1 00:50  |  me 09/03/08   8.   Award 01:19  |  BZ Sternberg 09/03/08   9.   Not our business 01:20  |  sweis Melbourne 09/03/08   10.   The Iron Cross 10:11  |  Mark 09/03/08   11.   Mark, What if that act of bravery... 13:44  |  Reader 09/03/08   12.   Bad move by the Central Council of Jews 20:32  |  Josh 05/05/08

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