anti-Semitism
Baerbock: Attempted attack on synagogue “unbearable”
The sidewalk in front of the Jewish community center on Brunnenstrasse is cordoned off after the attempted arson attack. photo
© Sascha Meyer/dpa
Despite bans, pro-Palestinian activists come together in Berlin and other cities to demonstrate against Israel. Foreign Minister Baerbock finds clear words.
After the attempted arson attack on a synagogue in Berlin, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock assures the Jews living in Germany of Germany’s solidarity. “We are opposing this with all the strength of the state and our society. Never again is now,” wrote the Green politician last night on the X platform, formerly Twitter. It is “unbearable” that Jews in Germany have to be afraid “of Stars of David being painted on houses and fire being thrown at synagogues.”
The synagogue in Berlin-Mitte was pelted with Molotov cocktails in an attempted arson attack on Wednesday night. According to the police, two masked unknown persons threw incendiary devices towards the synagogue, but they did not reach the building. Last night around 50 people gathered in front of the synagogue for a vigil against anti-Semitism organized by neighbors.
Since the attack on Israel by the Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas, there have been several pro-Palestinian demonstrations in which some participants cheered the Islamist Hamas. The police banned several demonstrations, including one last night. Today, Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) wants to make a government statement on the situation in Berlin, where many Jews and Palestinians live, with the title “Berlin sticks together – Together for Jewish life and against anti-Semitism.”
Cars burn in Neukölln
There were also riots during the night at pro-Palestinian rallies in Berlin – which had previously been banned. According to their own statements, the police took action against demonstrators who set fire to garbage cans, tires and pyrotechnics and threw stones, bottles and incendiary devices. Police officers were also injured, but according to preliminary information they remained on duty. A dpa reporter said four cars and a van burned in Neukölln. Firecrackers and stones were thrown at police cars. Anti-Semitic and pro-Palestinian slogans were also chanted.
Several hundred people also gathered in front of the Foreign Office to demonstrate against violence in the Middle East. According to the police, the meeting was ended directly by the organizer.
Water cannons in use in Frankfurt
There were also pro-Palestinian rallies in other cities in Germany. In Frankfurt am Main, police used a water cannon to break up a banned pro-Palestinian vigil. According to a police spokesman, around 100 people took part in the vigil at the main station. There was also a pro-Palestinian spontaneous meeting in Kassel with around 110 participants, the police said. This remained peaceful.
A rocket strike at the Al-Ahli Clinic in the Gaza Strip, potentially killing hundreds, sparked widespread anger, particularly in Arab and Islamic countries. There were anti-Israel demonstrations there and also in Germany. The Hamas-controlled health authority immediately blamed Israel for this on Tuesday evening, and neighboring Arab states joined in. Israel firmly rejected this and spoke of the impact of a stray rocket from the militant Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad. According to its “current assessment,” the US government also does not consider Israel to be responsible.