Unidentified assailants threw Molotov cocktails at a Jewish community in Berlin. However, the building did not catch fire. The police state security took over the investigation. Chancellor Scholz announced increased security precautions.
According to the affected community, there was an attempted arson attack on a house with Jewish institutions in Berlin during the night. The Kahal Adass Yisroel community wrote on the X platform (formerly Twitter) that unknown people had thrown two Molotov cocktails from the street in the direction of their community center on Brunnenstrasse in Berlin-Mitte.
In addition to a synagogue, the attacked house also houses a daycare center. The police state security of the Berlin State Criminal Police Office took over the investigation.
Burning bottles thrown towards the synagogue
According to the police, two unknown people appeared on foot around 3:45 a.m. and threw two burning bottles filled with liquid towards the synagogue on Brunnenstrasse. The bottles hit the sidewalk and broke, causing the fire to go out. The two masked people then ran away. A small fire broke out, which a property security police officer was able to put out immediately with a fire extinguisher. The search for the suspects was unsuccessful.
While the investigation was still underway, a 30-year-old drove to the Jewish community’s synagogue on an e-scooter around 8 a.m. He stopped near the synagogue, threw away the scooter and wanted to walk towards the building. This was prevented by emergency services who temporarily arrested the man. During the arrest, the man resisted and shouted inflammatory and anti-Israel slogans. The man was released after his personal details were established. Proceedings were initiated against him for resisting law enforcement officers and for attempted physical attacks on them and incitement to hatred.
“It’s psychological terror”
The Central Council of Jews strongly condemned the attempted attack. “This arson attack is the consistent continuation of the glorification of Hamas terror on German streets. The ‘Day of Rage’ is not just a phrase. It is psychological terror that results in concrete attacks.”
The Israeli embassy in Berlin warned of consequences. “We trust that German law enforcement authorities will treat this case with unrelenting severity,” the embassy said. “This is a defining moment for any democracy.” Either you stand with those who fight terror, or you remain silent and allow the terrorists’ actions to take place – “be it in the Middle East or in the heart of Europe.”
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser spoke of a “heinous act.” “The perpetrators must be identified quickly and brought to justice with the utmost severity.” The protection of Jewish institutions has the highest priority.
Scholz wants to increase security
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has already announced increased security precautions after the arson attack. “It is very clear that we do not and will never tolerate attacks being carried out against Jewish institutions,” said the SPD politician on the sidelines of his visit to Cairo. Violent events accompanied by anti-Semitic slogans are also not acceptable.
Scholz wants to take part in the opening of the synagogue in Dessau this Sunday, as deputy government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner announced. The fight against anti-Semitism is a central task of the state and society.
Today the Bundestag is discussing the fight against anti-Semitism and how to deal with pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The debate requested by the traffic light factions and the Union is intended to clarify how hostility to Israel and expressions of sympathy for the terrorist organization Hamas will be dealt with in the country.
Union: emergency services as a target
According to the police union (GdP), more than 20 emergency services were injured in riots in Berlin. The union said on Platform X that stones and pyrotechnics were thrown at them on Sonnenallee, Hermannplatz and Pariser Platz.
“The images from yesterday evening clearly show that we are experiencing the effects of a religious war on the streets of the capital and that our emergency services are becoming the targets of religious fanaticism, which will become even more pronounced as the military situation worsens,” explained GdP regional chief Stephan Weh.
On Wednesday night, several pro-Palestinian gatherings both at the Brandenburg Gate and in the Neukölln district led to major police and fire service operations.