Since the Hamas attack on Israel, anti-Semitic incidents have been increasing in Germany. The police have their hands full. Now there is another important day of remembrance.
On the day of remembrance for the victims of the Reich pogroms of 1938, the police authorities are focusing even more on Jewish institutions than they already do in view of developments in the Middle East.
In a survey by the German Press Agency on protective measures this Thursday, several state interior ministries pointed out that these had already been increased following the terrorist attack on Israel by the radical Islamic Hamas on October 7th. However, the local police departments are aware of the special significance of November 9th and are in close contact with the Jewish communities and other institutions. The ministries remained tight-lipped about the details of the protection concepts.
On Thursday, many places in Germany will commemorate the victims of the Nazi pogroms against the Jewish population with large and small memorial events. All over Germany, synagogues burned, shops were looted and destroyed, Jews were mistreated, arbitrarily arrested and murdered.
“Do everything so that Kristallnacht remains only a memory”
After calls for mobilization from Hamas, the police presence in front of prominent Jewish institutions was increased again, it was said in North Rhine-Westphalia. Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) said: “Our police are aware of the historical responsibility that arises from November 9th for the safety of our fellow Jews, for synagogues and other Jewish institutions.” The memory of that terrible day is a lesson beyond compare. “We are doing everything we can to ensure that Kristallnacht remains just a memory.”
In Hesse, the State Criminal Police Office reported that around 400 Jewish institutions or facilities used by Jews, such as museums, kindergartens, old people’s homes and cemeteries, were already being protected, both openly and covertly. There are currently no indications of specific threats. Around November 9th, however, “the educational measures were intensified and additional forces were mobilized at all police headquarters with the support of the riot police due to the current situation.”
Increased police attention in numerous countries
In Hanover it was said that Lower Saxony’s regional police authorities were sensitized in order to “examine even further measures and implement them with the highest priority” depending on local conditions. A spokesman for the Bremen police made a similar statement.
In Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Saxony-Anhalt, reference was made to the support of other security authorities, such as the riot police, the State Criminal Police Office and the Federal Criminal Police Office. In Saxony, the Interior Ministry announced: “The 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht is a particularly sensitive day given the current situation. We take this importance into account through constant situation analysis, increased police attention and special protective measures.” In Thuringia, a spokesman for the state police department said that November 9th was a sensitive day even before the Hamas attack. Additional stands are planned for one or two events.
Source: Stern
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