German Jews in Stuttgart have been advised to avoid the city centre at certain times following reports that it is not safe to be seen in certain areas of the capital Berlin.
The Israelite Community of Wuerttemberg (IRGW) has warned its almost 2,800 members about steering clear of the city centre at certain times due to a growing number of anti-Israel demonstrations and free-Palestine protests, saying: “We recommend avoiding these areas at the times mentioned if possible.”
The warning comes after a local police chief warned in November last year (2024) that areas of Berlin are not safe for both Jewish people and those who are openly gay.
Barbara Slowik, head of the police force in the German capital, said: “There are areas, and we need to be honest here, where I would advise people who wear a kippah [a small Jewish cap] or are openly gay or lesbian to be more careful.
“Unfortunately, there are certain neighbourhoods where the majority of people who live are of Arab descent, who also have sympathies for terrorist groups.”
In Stuttgart, where the latest issues of safety of the Jewish people have been raised, it was reported that yesterday (Sunday, 5th January), rallies took place at Schlossplatz and a demonstration march took place in the Bolzstrasse, Planie, Marktplatz, Eberhardstrasse and Theodor-Heuss-Strasse areas.
German media said that incitement against Israel took place in almost the entire city.
The IRGW sends an email to its subscribers every Friday to inform them about the upcoming anti-Israel demonstrations in the city as well as advice about which areas to avoid.
Anti-Semitism in the region has reportedly increased compared to the previous year with the police counting a total of 374 anti-Semitic crimes for the first three quarters of 2024, up from 184 before the Hamas attack on 7th October 2023.
The Anti-Semitism commissioner for the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Dr Michael Blume, 48, told German media that the background was the many reports of possible threats and threats of violence following the 7th October Hamas massacre, which left 1,200 people dead.
Hamas also took 250 hostages, with Israel responding by invading the Gaza Strip, cutting off aid, and targeting Hamas members with a bombing campaign that has caused widespread damage to civilian infrastructure and claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinians.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in October that 2024 had been a “year of unimaginable suffering”, stating that over 1,200 Israelis have been killed and nearly 5,500 had been injured.
It also said that according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, over 41,600 Palestinians had been killed, and 96,600 had been injured.
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Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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