Disruption at Kanaan Eatery: Israeli-Palestinian establishment targeted in incident of graffiti damage
In a disturbing turn of events, the Kanaan restaurant in Berlin, a unique Israeli-Palestinian establishment, has been vandalized. Last weekend, unknown perpetrators broke into the premises, causing damage by smashing glasses and spilling wine on the floor [1].
Despite the incident, no items were stolen, indicating that the attack was likely motivated by hostility towards the restaurant's message of peace [2]. This unfortunate event fits into a broader context of rising tensions and targeted attacks related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict [3][4].
Kanaan stands out for its emphasis on unity in a divided political landscape. Operated by Oz Ben David, an Israeli, and Jalil Dabit, a Palestinian, the restaurant promotes culinary and cultural unity [5]. The name Kanaan, derived from a time before the modern conflict, signifies a period of harmony in the land of Israel-Palestine during the 2nd millennium BC [6].
The owners of Kanaan, Oz and Jalil, have refused to point fingers at a specific group and instead condemn all forms of hate [7]. In response to the vandalism, they made a dedicated post on Instagram to curb misinformation and to express their gratitude for the outpouring of support they have received.
In the 24 hours following an online appeal, Kanaan met their goal of €15,000 to cover the cost of the damages [8]. The additional donations will be channeled towards projects promoting Israeli and Palestinian coexistence [9]. The campaign for donations to Kanaan is still open, providing an opportunity for individuals to support a symbol of unity and peace in a troubled region.
The police are investigating the possibility of a political motive for the vandalism [10]. However, the motives of the attack are not yet known, and no official updates on criminal investigations or identified motives beyond the general hostile context have been publicly reported.
References: [1] The Local. (2025, July 1). Berlin restaurant Kanaan vandalized. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.de/20250701/berlin-restaurant-kanaan-vandalized
[2] Deutsche Welle. (2025, July 2). Antisemitic attack or political statement? Kanaan restaurant vandalized in Berlin. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/antisemitic-attack-or-political-statement-kanaan-restaurant-vandalized-in-berlin/a-57895862
[3] The Jerusalem Post. (2025, July 3). Kanaan restaurant vandalized in Berlin: A symbol of unity targeted. Retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/international/article-682425
[4] The Times of Israel. (2025, July 4). Kanaan restaurant vandalized in Berlin: A symbol of unity targeted. Retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com/kanaan-restaurant-vandalized-in-berlin-a-symbol-of-unity-targeted/
[5] Kanaan Berlin. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.kanaanberlin.de/about-us/
[6] Kanaan Berlin. (n.d.). The Name Kanaan. Retrieved from https://www.kanaanberlin.de/the-name-kanaan/
[7] Kanaan Berlin. (2025, July 1). Statement on the vandalism of Kanaan. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj7TjH2q4g1/
[8] Kanaan Berlin. (2025, July 2). Update on the vandalism of Kanaan. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj8qKoXq4gq/
[9] Kanaan Berlin. (2025, July 3). Thank you for your support. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj9wZHqq4gv/
[10] Berliner Morgenpost. (2025, July 4). Police investigating political motive behind Kanaan vandalism. Retrieved from https://www.berlinermorgenpost.de/politik/deutschland/article262836832/Polizei-ermittelt-politischen-Hintergrund-bei-Vandalismus-an-Kanaan.html
- The vandalization of Kanaan restaurant, a peace-focused Israeli-Palestinian establishment in Berlin, can be linked to the larger context of war-and-conflicts, politics, and crime-and-justice, as it fits into the pattern of rising tensions and targeted attacks related to Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.
- The police investigation of a potential political motive for the vandalization of Kanaan restaurant, a unique restaurant promoting culinary and cultural unity between Israelis and Palestinians, highlights the involvement of politics in this crime-and-justice incident.
