In connection with the Hamas attack, the head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Thomas Haldenwang, fears an increasing number of crimes. A demonstration about the Gaza war in the evening has already been canceled.
In view of the escalation in the Middle East, the head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Thomas Haldenwang, fears further anti-Semitic attacks in Germany. “We have to expect that targeted violence could be perpetrated against Jews,” the President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution told “Spiegel”.
Some residential buildings were “literally marked” with a Star of David. “I fear that this new wave of anti-Semitism will keep us busy for a long time,” added Haldenwang. There have already been around 1,800 crimes in Germany in connection with the Hamas attack on Israel.
Police ban Gaza rally at Alexanderplatz
The Berlin police are banning a demonstration about the Gaza war on Alexanderplatz that was announced for the evening. The ban comes after “evaluating all circumstances and findings as well as weighing up all interests,” as it said in a statement.
Accordingly, there is a risk that the rally could lead to inciting, anti-Semitic shouts, glorification of violence, intimidation and violence. The holding of any replacement event is also prohibited until November 6th.
According to the police, the group “Generation Palestine” had registered the rally with 500 participants for 6:30 p.m. The title of the rally was: “Berlin children for Gaza children”.
Several rallies on the Middle East conflict are planned in Berlin this weekend: 500 participants have been registered for a rally on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Brandenburg Gate under the motto: “Peace in the Middle East.” On Sunday, solidarity with the victims in Palestine will be expressed at the Gleisdreieck subway station from 2 p.m. According to the police, 800 participants are registered for the rally. Solidarity with Israel will be shown at Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz from 3 p.m. 100 participants are registered here.
Berlin Police Chief Barbara Slowik expects renewed tensions in Berlin at the start of Israel’s planned ground offensive in Gaza. This will definitely have an impact, of course also on Berlin,” said Slowik on RBB Inforadio. The police will try to calm the situation preventively, but also plan ahead in terms of operational tactics.
Lindner and Stark-Watzinger visit the Anne Frank Educational Center
With a visit to the Anne Frank educational center, Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) and Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) are now sending a signal against growing anti-Semitism. “The terrorist, barbaric attack on Israel, Jewish life and Jews has of course left us all stunned,” said Stark-Watzinger.
“It has also shown here in Germany that anti-Semitism is more widespread than many people imagined,” emphasized the minister. The number of reported anti-Semitic incidents has increased by 240 percent in the past two weeks. Extracurricular learning places such as educational institutions are therefore extremely important in recognizing and combating anti-Semitism and in preventing it.
“We see a very big problem in the digital space. There is a wave of misinformation, violent images and anti-Semitism, especially on Tiktok,” said the director of the educational institution, Deborah Schnabel. This content also made its way into classrooms. Programs that deal with anti-Semitism online are needed quickly, said the director.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
