Berlin is a battlefield. The Jews fear for their lives
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the streets, attempts to set synagogues on fire, "brutal, anti-Semitic incidents" and hours-long clashes with the police. Berlin turns into a battlefield, and Jews fear for their own health and lives.
1:42 PM EDT, October 19, 2023
The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East is increasingly evident on the streets of Berlin. On Tuesday, despite the ban, there were several pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The largest ones took place near the Brandenburg Gate and at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. "Free Palestine," chanted aggressive protestors.
Bottles filled with gasoline and stones were thrown at the intervening officers. Clashes occurred, with 20 officers being injured. Several cars and a truck were set on fire, and in response to the protesters - as well as to extinguish the fires - the uniformed officers used water cannons - German media reports.
Attempts to set synagogues on fire
On Wednesday, two masked perpetrators threw Molotov cocktails towards the synagogue on Brunnenstrasse in the Mitte district. The building houses not only a Jewish house of prayer, but also a preschool. Fortunately, there were no casualties. The bottles broke on the sidewalk, and the fire was quickly put out. Nevertheless, following this incident, over 50 people gathered at the scene to participate in a vigil and express their solidarity with the Jewish community. They had lit candles and banners with slogans calling for an end to all antisemitic actions.
- Enough of the attacks! We need to stand in front of synagogues so there won't be another Kristallnacht - says through tears a man whose grandfather was a prisoner in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
Berlin cannot turn into a battlefield
The chairman of the police union (GdP), Jochen Kopelke, is calling for concrete action. He speaks of the "disgusting atmosphere" prevailing in Germany, the necessity of support from politicians and society, and the need for "quick processes and sentences for riot participants".
The Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner, admits that the local "police are exhausted" and appeals to all federal states for help in creating special police forces. Senator Joe Chialo thunders that "Berlin cannot turn into a battlefield," and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz promises to increase security measures. Currently, as "Bild" reports, 400 people are protecting 100 Jewish institutions.
Jews in Berlin are scared again
In the subway, one shouldn't speak Hebrew, because they can be spat upon. Some Jews in Germany remove their nameplates from entrance doors because anti-Semites vandalize them with spray paint. No Jew dares to walk the streets with a yarmulke on his head anymore - the editor-in-chief of "Bild" describes the current atmosphere in Berlin and the fear reflected in the eyes of German Jews - almost the same as during World War II. "We, the Germans, turned a blind eye when the Nazis came. What now? Jews have to become our sisters and brothers. Anyone who spits in a Jew's face, spits in our face."
