According to the Public Prosecutor General’s Office, the number of antisemitic crimes in Berlin has increased significantly.
Last year, 756 cases were registered, up from 586 in 2023, as Florian Hengst, the Public Prosecutor General’s antisemitism commissioner, told the German Press Agency.
Additionally, in 2024, there were 4,096 cases related to the Middle East conflict, many of which are suspected of having an antisemitic motive.
Hengst considers the terrorist attack by the Islamist group Hamas on Israel on 7 October 2023 to be a turning point.
Since then, a significant increase in cases has been observed, particularly those related to the Middle East conflict. In 2023, there were only 158 such cases.
According to Hengst, antisemitic crimes related to Israel have risen sharply. Most offenses involve incitement to hatred, property damage—such as antisemitic or anti-Israeli graffiti—or insults.
However, there has also been an increase in threats, verbal abuse, and physical assaults, he explained.
For Jews in Berlin, the terrorist attack was a “deep shock,” Hengst said. He reported that many in the community fear becoming victims of an antisemitic crime. Some have consciously chosen not to wear visible symbols of their faith.
“That’s understandable, but from a law enforcement perspective, it’s a worrying development,” Hengst stated. However, he also noted that some individuals have reacted with a “now more than ever” attitude.
Given these developments, he stressed the importance of a clear response from law enforcement. “We must take action against antisemitic crimes with the utmost clarity and consistency—and that’s what we are doing,” he emphasised.
To support this effort, the police and public prosecutor’s office recently published an updated version of the Guidelines for the Prosecution of Antisemitic Crimes in Berlin.
This document lists various examples of antisemitism, such as calls for violence against Jews, stereotypical accusations, myths about an alleged Jewish world conspiracy, Holocaust denial, and the collective attribution of responsibility to Jews for Israel’s policies.
“We’ve received initial positive feedback,” Hengst said. However, he acknowledged that the guidelines are not exhaustive but rather aim to raise awareness and provide practical recommendations for police and prosecutors.
The Berlin Regional Court’s recent ruling on the slogan “From the river to the sea” is also seen as a key development in prosecuting antisemitic crimes. The State Security Chamber deemed the slogan a symbol of Hamas and fined a woman for disseminating it and using symbols of terrorist organisations. The ruling is now final.
Contrary to the expectations of some legal experts, the case did not reach the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe. Until now, criminal courts had interpreted the slogan differently. This decision marks the first time a regional court has ruled on the matter.
