Interesting collision of history, politics, and archaeology. Unfortunate, but interesting. 

Daniel B. Davis
Archaeologist Coordinator
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Division of Environmental Analysis
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40622
(502) 564-7250
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of geoff carver
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 4:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: The director of teh synagogue excavation in Cologne has been removed from his post

After years of trying to brew up reasons to do so, a site director has been removed from his post over the "scandal" relating to some comments about possible "latent anti-Semitism" possibly being behind opposition to the excavation of the medieval Jewish area and building a Jewish museum in the middle of Cologne.
The offending comments were (source: http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/archeological-dig-in-cologne-unearths-ancient-jewish-history-and-exposes-layers-of-prejudice.premium-1.513703 ):

At the center of the controversy is opposition both to use of public funds for the project and to the extended digging that it has entailed in the heart of the city.

Schuette believes that those opposed to the excavations are motivated also by latent anti-Semitism, of the sort he says that’s common in Germany. “They think it would be more appropriate to build a nice plaza here, rather than a Jewish museum,” as is planned, he adds. Some people have tried to sabotage the dig and have left suspicious items − such as a suitcase that was feared to have had explosives inside − at the entrance to the excavation; others send him threatening letters. “They are not neo-Nazis, just foolish people who do not understand history,” Schuette says.


German-language reports on the firing include the following:
http://www.rundschau-online.de/koeln/antisemitismus-vorwuerfe-sven-schuette-von-aufgaben-entbunden,15185496,22334708.html
The Israeli paper "Haaretz" is also covering this:
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/archaeologist-s-comments-to-haaretz-accusing-cologne-authorities-of-anti-semitism-spark-storm-in-germany.premium-1.514610

Note that the words "latent anti-Semitism" is not a direct quote; it could be, but actually looks like a summary or paraphrase by the journalist.
Interestingly enough, the leader of the Green Party faction in the Cologne City Hall as quoted as agreeing with Schuette: "you can't put them all under suspicion, but some of the critics [of the project] think that way."
The FDP leader said some critics had "very irrational reasons why they want to close the museum."
http://www.ksta.de/innenstadt/studio-dumont-politiker-warnen-vor-generalverdacht,15187556,22319238.html