The war between Hamas and Israel is affecting the entire world. While this war has also had economic and political repercussions in other countries, supporters of both sides also fight against each other in different countries. Protests against Israeli action in Gaza that began after the October 7 attack have been seen around the world. Supporters of Israel and Palestine have also gone head-to-head in many European countries, including the United States and Britain.
Barbara Slovik, police chief of Berlin, Germany, has advised Jews and openly LGBTQ people to use caution when visiting certain areas with Arab populations. Slovik said in an interview with the Berliner Zeitung newspaper that there are no specific “no-go zones” in Berlin, adding that the capital is as safe as the rest of Germany and even safer than other major cities in Europe.
He further said: “Unfortunately, there are some areas in Berlin where there is a majority of people of Arab origin, where there is open sympathy for terrorist organizations and where anti-Semitism is very high. “I would advise people who wear kippahs or who are openly gay or lesbian to be more careful in those places.” He declined to name any particular region so as not to defame any group.
read this too
1,300 cases of violence in the last year
Slovik said most of the 1,300 investigations into violent crimes since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 have focused on attacks or resistance against police officers during protests. However, he also noted that Berlin’s Jewish community is concerned about the overall number of anti-Semitic crimes, making them fearful of being targeted.
Why not ban pro-Palestinian demonstrations?
When asked why authorities could not ban pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel demonstrations, Slovik insisted that freedom of assembly is a cornerstone of German democracy. He also stated that even if the authorities banned such demonstrations, potential perpetrators of anti-Jewish violence would still live in Berlin, but would not be openly visible.
