DAY 6 | Jews and homosexuals are not safe in Berlin: Police Chief

Police chief warns of “certain neighborhoods”

Berlin – Berlin police chief Barbara Slowik warns Jews and homosexuals. They should avoid places in Berlin* where “people of Arab descent” live who have “sympathies for terrorist groups.”

Barbara Slowik told the Berliner Zeitung : “However, there are areas – and we have to be honest about this – where I would advise people who wear a kippah or are openly gay or lesbian to be more careful.”

Slowik continued that she did not want to "defame" any particular group of people as perpetrators. At the same time, she explained: "Unfortunately, there are certain neighborhoods in which the majority of people are of Arab descent who also harbor sympathies for terrorist groups. Open anti-Semitism is expressed there against people of Jewish faith and origin."

Slowik stressed: "Fortunately, violent crimes against Jewish people are low, although without question every crime is one too many. Nevertheless, I can understand that fear and concern remain."

Since October 7, 2023, the police have initiated over 6,200 investigations into anti-Semitism and incitement.

A large proportion of the investigations concern hate postings on the Internet, as well as property damage and propaganda crimes. 

The 1,300 investigations into violent crimes mostly concern attacks or resistance against police officers. The increasing number of investigations increases the fear within the Jewish community in Berlin of becoming the target of an attack.

The police chief called on people to be vigilant and to report suspicious activities. She assured that the police would do everything in their power to ensure the safety of citizens. "We must work together against all forms of hatred and violence," Slowik concluded.

* Kreuzberg neighborhoods, Wedding and Neukölln

Source: bild.de, Staff, November 18, 2024

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