Berlin police chief warns: Caution advised for LGBTQ and Jews in some areas

The police chief in Berlin claims that in some districts, people wearing a kippah or openly displaying their homosexual orientation should be more vigilant.

We must be honest. There are places where I would advise people wearing a kippah or openly homosexual individuals to be more cautious," she said in an interview with "Berliner Zeitung".

The police chief explained that in some areas, a majority of residents are of Arab descent, and some may sympathize with terrorist groups. In these places, there is open anti-Semitism against Jewish individuals.

As "Daily Mail" reports, since October 7, 2023 (the day Hamas attacked Israel - ed. note), the police in Berlin have launched over 6,200 investigations, mostly concerning hate speech online and acts of vandalism. Approximately 1,300 cases involve incidents of violence, most of which were directed against officers during protests against Israel.

The number of violent crimes against Jews is low, although every such crime is one too many. However, I understand that fear and concerns remain," added Słowik in the conversation.

The police chief's statement came after an attack on the Makkabi Berlin youth soccer team by a Palestinian group armed with sticks and knives. Players aged 13 to 16 reported they were "chased" in Neukölln, a district known for its large Arab and Turkish population.

Makkabi Berlin is a club founded in the 1970s by Holocaust survivors. It is the first Jewish sports team in the German capital since World War II. According to "Daily Mail," a fan of this club was attacked at the beginning of the month in a café. The assailant asked the victim if he was Jewish. Moments later, he punched him in the face.