crime
Raids for anti-Semitic crimes in Bavaria
During the raid during the “Day of Action PLUS against Anti-Semitism,” various objects throughout Bavaria were searched. photo
© Peter Kneffel/dpa
Since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, anti-Semitism has also become increasingly widespread in this country. Authorities have now launched coordinated raids against the spread of hatred of Jews.
The suspects are said to have celebrated Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel and spread hatred of Jews: Bavarian authorities are having a big one Raid against suspected anti-Semites. Police and public prosecutors searched several properties in the morning.
According to the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (LKA), they are investigating 17 suspects who are said to have made hate speech on social networks, used the symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations or approved crimes.
The focus was primarily on statements made after the attack on Israel by the terrorist organization Hamas on October 7th. The LKA spoke of an “Action Day Plus against anti-Semitism”.
Evidence seized – “Gas the Jews”
The suspects are two women and fifteen men between the ages of 18 and 62. The emergency services questioned the accused and confiscated evidence, including cell phones and laptops, as the LKA announced.
The focus of the operation was the city and district of Munich, where the authorities looked at nine suspects and searched the same number of objects. There were further searches in Füssen and Kaufbeuren as well as in the districts of Passau, Fürstenfeldbruck, Berchtesgadener Land, Coburg, Aschaffenburg and Haßberge.
According to the information, a suspect sent a sticker in a WhatsApp class chat that showed a clown with the inscription “Gas the Jews”. A German-Turkish suspect is said to have posted on his account that “the Jewish sons” deserved nothing other than to be slaughtered “and wiped out.” According to the information, the post ended with “Free Palestine”.
According to the LKA, a Turkish citizen posted a picture of Hitler shortly after October 7th with the caption: “I could kill all the Jews, but I left some alive to show you why I killed them.” He also showed a Palestinian flag, the caption “Free Palestine” and a victory sign emoji.
Anti-Semitic statements have been increasing since Corona
“Unfortunately, anti-Semitism shapes the everyday lives of many Jews in Germany. The terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel also has an impact on their lives in Germany,” said Michael Weinzierl, the Bavarian police officer against hate crime. “Although there has been a new wave of anti-Semitism on Bavaria’s streets since then, the crimes that have already been committed must not be allowed to fade into the background.”
Because the development is not new, he told the German Press Agency. Anti-Semitic statements have been increasing in Germany since the Corona period. That’s why “we want to send a clear signal to both the judiciary and the police and pursue criminal anti-Semitism on this special day,” he emphasized.
“Ultimately, anti-Semitism is unfortunately very broadly anchored in society,” said Weinzierl. A focus lies on the right-wing spectrum. “But the Middle East conflict also shows that crimes are also committed in other structures based on religious ideology.”
“We are serious about combating anti-Semitic crimes”
Like no other area of hate crime, anti-Semitism cuts across all ideologies and nationalities. “And of course it’s not just the anti-Semitism of German citizens that plays a role. It must also be said that the vast majority, well over 90 percent, are Germans who commit anti-Semitic crimes.”
It is important to show Jews and Israelis “that we here in Bavaria stand behind them, that we protect them here and protect them from hostility,” emphasized Weinzierl. The focus of the campaign is on prosecuting criminal online activities, but also criminal statements during demonstrations.
Since the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7th, there have been repeated demonstrations by Palestinians and supporters on German streets, with some participants cheering on the Islamist Hamas.
“With this day of action, we are raising awareness among Jewish citizens that we are serious about combating anti-Semitic crimes. And among anti-Semitic criminals that this fight is a focus of the Bavarian justice system,” said the anti-Semitism commissioner of the Bavarian justice system, Andreas Franck.