By Steve Rosenberg BBC correspondent in Berlin

Over the last two weeks or so, 13 faces have been dominating TV screens across Germany. Eleven of them - of course - belong to the national football team - which has been doing so well at the World Cup.

The other two faces are involved in quite a different confrontation.

They belong to a politician, Juergen Moellemann, and a TV chat show host, Michel Friedman.

Mr Moellemann - a former paratrooper - is deputy leader of Germany's Free Democratic Party.

Mr Friedman is a local Jewish leader.

The two men have been locked in a war of words so vicious, and so protracted that it has engulfed the entire German political scene.

Nazi jibe

It all began when Mr Moelleman openly criticised Israeli leader Ariel Sharon and made comments implying support for Palestinian attacks on Israel.

Moellemann: Condemned by Chancellor Schroeder

He also defended a member of his local parliamentary group, Jamal Karsli, who had compared the Israeli army to the Nazis.

And then he turned his attention to Michel Friedman. He accused him of being "arrogant and malicious" and held him responsible for the rise of anti-Semitism in Germany.

Remarks like those sent shockwaves across Germany - Jewish leaders described them as the most anti-Semitic since the Holocaust.

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder condemned Mr Moelleman - and warned that Germany's image abroad was on the line.

Day after day, the scandal was the top story on national TV.

Election

Jews have demonstrated in protest at Mr Moellemann's remarks

Michel Friedman demanded an apology - he accused Mr Moellemann of exploiting anti-Semitism to win right-wing support in September's election.

Mr Moellemann refused to budge, noting that criticism of Israel is not tantamount to anti-Semitism.

But eventually, he swallowed his pride and - under intense pressure - issued an apology.

If he'd upset the Jewish community - he said - he was sorry.

Jamal Karsli resigned.

Germany's Council of Jews welcomed the news.

Crisis over? Well, not quite.

Mr Moellemann went back on TV to point out his apology didn't include Michel Friedman - and the insults have continued to fly.