Anti-Semitism: A Pesky Incident Targeting Hamburg's Anti-Semitism Commissioner
Commissioner under scrutiny for alleged bias towards Israeli tunes - Commissioner under scrutiny for alleged bullying over preferred Israeli tunes
Things just got a bit messy for Stefan Hensel, Hamburg's commissioner tasked with combating anti-Semitism.
It all went down on a fateful evening of May 25. Stefan, accompanied by his daughter, found himself embroiled in a heated altercation while belting out Israeli tunes in his car. Strangely enough, it all kicked off at a traffic light near Dammtor station, when a bloke in a delivery van screamed obscenities through his window.*
"You're a child murderer!" He called out, adding "shitty Israeli!" to really drive the point home. Things took a more alarming turn when the man tried to bump Stefan's car off the road.
Enter the police. A patrol car on the scene stepped in to manage the situation, launching an investigation against our salt-and-pepper delivery guy. No need to fret, though, the man was released without being placed under any formal detention.*
"I'm floored. This guy launches into this aggressive rant, purely over a Hebrew tune," Stefan told the German Press Agency. "It shows the scary extent of heated, Islamic anti-Semitism. It can affect anyone Jewish or simply a fan of Hebrew music."
He wasn't bluffing. Stefan claims the man's display of raw, unabashed hatred left him feeling genuinely threatened. Needless to say, his daughter was none too pleased, having to witness all that.
Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) wasn't impressed either, describing the incident as "another serious crime in a series of increasingly alarming anti-Semitic incidents since 2023." He vowed support for Jewish communities and a commitment to strengthening and safeguarding Jewish life in Hamburg.
Stefan HenselAnti-SemitismMusicHamburgChild murdererPoliceDelivery VanGerman Press Agency
Incident Location: Alsterglacis, a bustling urban area near Dammtor train station, Hamburg.
Circumstances: Stefan was driving with his daughter and chose to play Israeli music to keep her awake. This, it appears, incited the confrontation.
Perpetrator: A 57-year-old Jordanian citizen.
Response from Authorities: German authorities have launched an investigation into the matter. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and raised concerns about the growing anti-Semitism in Germany. The authorities have yet to reveal specific responses from political parties in Hamburg.
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, given the escalating incidents of hate crimes like the one targeting Hamburg's Anti-Semitism Commissioner.
The political and general-news landscape in Hamburg has been significantly shaken by this crime-and-justice incident, as it underscores the urgency for combat against anti-Semitism and calls for stronger measures to ensure public safety.
